Laura Lynch, an original member of the American country ensemble “Dixie Chicks,” tragically lost her life in a direct collision on a highway in Texas, as confirmed by authorities this past Saturday.
The band, which rebranded itself as “The Chicks” in 2020, expressed their deep sorrow on social media, stating, “The news of Laura Lynch’s demise has deeply shocked and grieved us.”
The group reminisced about Lynch in their tribute, saying, “Laura’s vibrant spirit and her lively sense of humor were the heartbeat during our early years.”
In 1989, Lynch was pivotal in forming the renowned band in Dallas, collaborating with artists Robin Lynn Macy and siblings Martie and Emily Erwin. Her life was tragically cut short in a frontal crash on a highway near El Paso, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
At the age of 65, Lynch was driving her car east on U.S. 62 just outside El Paso. The accident occurred when a vehicle, heading in the opposite direction, tried to overtake another car on a stretch of road with two-way traffic but no dividing barrier.
Her Ford truck was hit head-on, and she was declared dead at the accident site. The other driver, who suffered non-critical injuries, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In their statement, The Chicks highlighted Lynch’s vital role in the band’s early achievements, particularly noting her “infectious energy and humor.”
Lynch, who served as the bass player and at times the lead singer for the Dixie Chicks, departed from the band in 1995.
Initially a bluegrass ensemble, the Dixie Chicks saw immense success with their major-label debut “Wide Open Spaces” in 1998. The album broke records in country music sales, surpassing all other country groups combined and earning them their inaugural Grammy Award, as per the award’s official records.
