HIGH school football player Caden Nowicki has passed away after suffering serious injuries in a tragic winter accident involving a makeshift sled.

The 17-year-old from Texas became the third teen in the state to lose his life within days as heavy snow and ice from Winter Storm Fern blanketed the region.

Nowicki, a senior at Ponder High School, had been enjoying the rare snowfall on Monday with friends. He was riding inside a kayak being pulled by an ATV when the improvised sled veered off the road around 2:30 p.m., causing him to be thrown from the kayak and into a nearby fence.

He was airlifted to a hospital and treated in the ICU, but the Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

According to officials, the ATV driver, 22-year-old Jackson Long from Oklahoma, was not hurt. Another passenger, 18-year-old Austin Erickson, also escaped injury.

Authorities stated that the incident remains under investigation, and it is still unclear whether any charges will be considered.

“With heavy hearts, our #44 Caden Nowicki has gone home today,” Ponder football coach Marcus Schulz shared online.

“We believe God hand-selected His inside linebacker.
Please keep the Nowicki family in your thoughts and prayers. Rest easy and fly high, #44.”

Nowicki’s passing came just days after another heartbreaking incident in North Texas. Sixteen-year-olds Grace Brito and Elizabeth Angle lost their lives in a separate sledding accident in Frisco, about 35 miles from Ponder.

The two teens were riding a sled being pulled by a Jeep when it lost control and struck a tree. Angle passed away shortly after the incident on January 25, while Brito was removed from life support on January 27.

As North Texas experienced record snowfall of up to five inches in some areas, authorities issued urgent warnings about unsafe sledding activities.

“We understand the excitement of winter weather fun,” the Argyle Police Department said.
“But we are seeing a troubling rise in people being pulled behind cars or motorized vehicles, which has already led to multiple severe incidents in recent days.”

Winter Storm Fern affected 13 states, with over 60 reported fatalities, widespread power outages, and more than a third of the U.S. placed under a state of emergency.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Nowicki family as they navigate the difficult days ahead, including medical and memorial expenses.