Caden Nowicki’s death prompts renewed warnings on vehicle-towed sledding in Texas

A North Texas high school senior who was critically hurt while riding in a kayak being towed behind an ATV has died, intensifying scrutiny of a risky winter-storm pastime that has already claimed multiple teenage lives in the region. The incident unfolded during a rare stretch of ice and snow that pushed many residents outdoors, but officials are emphasizing that makeshift “sleds” pulled by motorized vehicles can turn deadly in seconds.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced any criminal charges. Community members in and around Ponder have organized vigils and support efforts for the family as the school district mourns the loss.

Caden Nowicki dies after sledding crash

State troopers said the 17-year-old was riding in a kayak being used as a sled on Monday, January 26, 2026, when the ATV towing it left the roadway on Amyx Hill Road in Ponder, in Denton County, Texas. He was ejected from the kayak and struck a fence, suffering severe injuries.

The crash was reported at about 3:25 p.m. ET (about 2:25 p.m. local time). He was taken to a hospital in Denton and later died on Thursday, January 29. Community tributes placed the time of death at approximately 2:48 p.m. ET.

Troopers identified the ATV driver as a 22-year-old man from Yukon, Oklahoma, and said an 18-year-old passenger was also on the ATV. Neither was injured.

Timeline of key facts

Why towing a “sled” behind vehicles is so dangerous

Law enforcement and safety officials have repeatedly warned that being pulled behind an ATV, truck, or SUV on public roads combines several hazards at once:

• No steering or braking control for the rider

• Unpredictable traction on ice and packed snow

• Violent whip effect if the towing vehicle turns or hits uneven pavement

• Fixed-object risk (curbs, trees, fences, mailboxes) close to road edges

• Limited protection compared with regulated winter sports

Even at low speeds, a sudden fishtail or a small bump can launch a rider into a hard surface. In this case, investigators have focused on how quickly the kayak left the roadway and how the ejection occurred.

A week of similar tragedies raises alarms

The death came amid a cluster of severe sledding and towing incidents during the same winter storm period in North Texas. In a separate crash in the Frisco area, two 16-year-old girls who were riding a sled being pulled by a Jeep were fatally injured after the sled struck a curb and hit a tree. The concentration of incidents has led police and first responders to urge families to avoid any towing setup on streets, especially where visibility is low and ice patches can appear without warning.

Officials have also pointed to additional injuries in other nearby towing-related sledding accidents during the storm, underscoring that the risk is not limited to one community.

Community response in Ponder

In Ponder, the reaction has centered on school and team support. The teen was a senior and a football player, and classmates, teammates, and local residents organized gatherings for prayer and remembrance. Support efforts have included donation drives aimed at easing medical and funeral expenses, along with coordinated meals and gift cards for the family.

Teachers and coaches described him as widely liked and deeply rooted in the community, a dynamic that often intensifies the collective grief in smaller towns where school sports serve as a shared focal point.

What investigators are likely to examine next

While authorities have not released detailed findings, cases like this typically involve a close review of:

• the exact route and roadway conditions at the time of the crash

• the towing setup (connection method, rope length, stability of the “sled”)

• speed and maneuvering immediately before the kayak left the roadway

• witness statements and any available video evidence

• whether the activity occurred on a public road and how that intersects with applicable traffic and safety laws

For families watching similar weather move through their area, the message from officials has been consistent: if someone wants to slide on snow or ice, choose an open hill away from traffic and fixed obstacles, and avoid any arrangement that involves a powered vehicle towing a rider.

Sources consulted: Texas Department of Public Safety; NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth; KERA News; People