Laura Lynch, one of the founders of the Dixie Chicks, has died in a car accident at the age of 65.
Her cousin Mick Lynch told showbiz news outlet TMZ that she was driving outside El Paso, Texas, at the time of the collision on Friday.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene after the head-on crash.
The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries,” and an investigation into the collision is ongoing, a report from the department said.
Bassist Lynch formed the American country group with sisters Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire and Robin Lynn Macy in 1989.
The band – now consisting of Natalie Maines, Strayer and Maguire – changed their name to The Chicks in 2020 after criticism of the use of the word Dixie, which often refers to the southern states of the United States that broke away around 1860 to form the new Confederate States of America.
The Chicks after their 2007 Grammy win
They said in a post on X: “Laura was a bright light … her infectious energy and humor added a spark to our band’s early days.
“Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the band’s early success.
“Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond street corner hustles to stages across Texas and the Midwest.
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
Before Lynch left, the band released three albums together – their 1990 debut Thank Heavens For Dale Evans, 1992’s Little Ol’ Cowgirl and 1993’s Shouldn’t A Told You That.
The group had their commercial breakthrough in 1998 with their fourth album Wide Open Spaces, with Maines on lead vocals.
It was followed by 1999’s Fly, 2002’s Home, 2006’s Take The Long Way – all of which went to number one on the US album charts.
The Chicks supported Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park in London in July.
