Caden NOwicki passed away at 17
A tragic sledding accident in Denton County, Texas has claimed the life of Ponder High School senior Caden Nowicki, school officials and law enforcement confirmed Thursday. The 17-year-old volleyball and football standout died after suffering critical injuries earlier this week.
Nowicki was injured on January 26, 2026, when the kayak he was using as a makeshift sled was being pulled by an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) along the 400 block of Amyx Hill Road. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the kayak left the roadway at around 2:30 p.m. and Nowicki was thrown from it, colliding with a fence and sustaining severe trauma.
He was airlifted to Medical City Denton and hospitalized in critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, authorities said.
Nowicki was well known in the Ponder Independent School District (ISD) for his athletic ability and community spirit. In a statement shared on social media, Ponder ISD’s athletic director and head football coach Marcus Schulz wrote that the school community mourns an exceptional young man. “With heavy hearts, our #44 Caden Nowicki crossed through the gates into our Heavenly Father’s arms today,” Schulz posted on X, urging continued prayers for the Nowicki family.
Ponder ISD Superintendent James Hill also praised Nowicki as “an outstanding young man who is loved by many,” reflecting the deep impact he had on his classmates, coaches and teachers.
The tragedy comes amid a series of sledding-related fatalities in North Texas during a period of rare winter weather. Earlier in the week, two 16-year-old girls Elizabeth Angle and Gracie Brito — died after a separate sledding accident in Frisco, Texas, where their sled, towed behind a Jeep, hit a curb and struck a tree.
Local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nowicki’s accident. DPS officials have not disclosed whether any charges will be filed, but authorities have repeatedly warned about the dangers of using vehicles to tow sleds or other objects during winter conditions.
Community members and classmates have rallied in support of Nowicki’s family. A vigil and fundraising efforts have been organized to help cover medical and funeral expenses as the Ponder community grieves the loss of one of its promising young leaders.
