Tragedy Strikes as Dixie Chicks Co-founder, Laura Lynch, Succumbs to Fatal Car Crash in El Paso
El Paso, Texas – In a devastating turn of events, Laura Lynch, one of the founding members of the Dixie Chicks, met a tragic end in a head-on collision on U.S. 62 in El Paso, as confirmed by local authorities on Saturday. The 65-year-old musician was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which unfolded around 5:45 p.m. on Friday.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Lynch was traveling eastbound when another vehicle, attempting to overtake on a two-way undivided section of the highway, collided with her car in a head-on crash.
The band, now known as The Chicks following a name change in 2020, expressed profound shock and sorrow at the sudden loss of their co-founder. In an official statement, they reminisced about the cherished moments spent with Lynch, highlighting her vibrant personality and significant contributions to the band’s early success.
“Laura was a bright light… her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band,” the statement read. “Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.”
The tragic incident unfolded when Lynch’s vehicle collided with another, resulting in a fiery crash. Lynch was not wearing a seatbelt, according to authorities. The driver of the other vehicle survived the collision, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
Laura Lynch played a pivotal role in the formation of the Dixie Chicks in 1989, alongside Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin, and Emily Erwin. As the upright bass player and eventually a vocalist, she contributed to three albums before her departure. Natalie Maines succeeded her in the band. The untimely death of this music icon leaves a void in the hearts of fans and the music industry alike.
BREAKING: Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Dixie Chicks, dies in a head-on crash in El Paso, Texas. https://t.co/z3dihDMHE3
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 23, 2023