DENTON CO., TX (THECOUNT) — Caden Nowicki, 17, a senior student athlete at Ponder High School, has been identified as the teenager who died Thursday after suffering critical injuries earlier this week in a sledding-related accident in Denton County, according to school officials and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Authorities said the incident occurred Monday along Amyx Hill Road in Denton County. DPS investigators determined that Nowicki was riding inside a kayak that was being towed by an all-terrain vehicle when the kayak left the roadway.
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According to state troopers, Nowicki was ejected from the kayak and struck a metal fence. Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported him to Medical City Denton Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
School officials later confirmed that Nowicki, who was a varsity football player at Ponder High School, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
Officials said the crash remains under investigation, and no additional details regarding speed, road conditions, or potential contributing factors have been released.
Nowicki’s death marks at least the third sledding-related fatality involving a teenager reported in North Texas this week, as winter weather conditions have impacted roadways across the region.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the Nowicki family with expenses following his death.
Via GoFundMe:
The Nowicki family, dear friends of ours and cherished members of the Ponder community, are facing an unimaginable loss. Earlier today, their beloved Caden Lake Nowicki passed away. In just the last four days, Caden taught us more about love, unity, and the importance of community than most people do in a lifetime. He showed us how to come together, share stories, laugh, cry, and support one another through the hardest moments. These lessons will stay with us forever, and we hope they inspire everyone who reads this to hold their loved ones close.
The Nowicki family is now navigating the difficult days ahead, and we want to surround them with the same love and support they have always shown others. The funds raised here will help cover any necessary medical costs and funeral expenses, easing some of the financial burden during this heartbreaking time. Your generosity will allow the family to focus on healing and remembering Caden’s beautiful spirit.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and love from our community. Every message, every prayer, and every act of kindness has been felt and appreciated. As we all process this loss in our own ways, we cling to our hope in Jesus Christ, knowing that Caden is fully healed in His loving arms and that we will be reunited with him one day. If you don’t know Jesus, we encourage you to get to know Him—He’s amazing, and Caden would want you to experience that love too. Thank you for supporting the Nowicki family in their time of need.
Public safety officials have reported multiple serious incidents during the recent cold spell, including crashes and injuries tied to improvised sledding activities involving vehicles. Authorities have repeatedly warned that towing sleds, kayaks, or similar objects behind motorized vehicles can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable, especially on paved roads.
Denton County, like much of North Texas, experienced freezing temperatures and winter precipitation in recent days, conditions that can reduce traction and increase the likelihood of loss of control during recreational activities.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers said investigations into recent sledding-related incidents are ongoing. Officials continue to urge parents and teens to avoid vehicle-pulled sledding and to use designated areas and proper safety equipment when participating in winter activities.
Ponder Independent School District acknowledged Nowicki’s death and confirmed he was a student at Ponder High School. The district has not released additional details related to the incident.
Authorities have not announced whether any charges will be filed in connection with the crash.
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