Ponder High School Senior Caden Nowicki Dies Following Sledding Accident
Ponder High School senior and varsity football player Caden Nowicki, 17, has died from injuries sustained in a sledding accident that occurred earlier this week. Ponder Independent School District Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Marcus Schulz confirmed that Nowicki passed away on Thursday afternoon at Medical City Denton, where he had been receiving intensive care since Monday.
The accident took place on Monday, January 26, in Denton County amidst severe winter weather conditions. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Nowicki was riding in a kayak that was being towed behind an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on Amyx Hill Road. Investigators report that the kayak left the roadway, causing Nowicki to be ejected and collide with a fence. The driver of the ATV and another passenger were not injured in the incident.
Superintendent James Hill released a statement describing Nowicki as an “outstanding young man who is loved by many” and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time. The school district is currently collecting food gift cards to support the Nowicki family, which can be dropped off at the high school’s front office or athletic office upon the resumption of classes.
This fatality marks the third teen death in the North Texas region related to sledding accidents during the recent winter storm. Earlier in the week, two 16-year-old students from Frisco died following a separate incident where a sled being towed by a vehicle struck a tree. Authorities and safety officials have issued warnings regarding the high risks associated with towing sleds or other devices behind motorized vehicles, citing the lack of control and potential for high-speed collisions with fixed objects.
A memorial service for Nowicki is scheduled to be held at Ponder First Baptist Church. Coach Schulz expressed the community’s grief in a social media statement, noting that Nowicki, who wore jersey number 44, will be deeply missed by his teammates and the Ponder community.
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