Laura Lynch, one of the founding member of the Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks) died on Friday in a car crash in El Paso, Texas.
The musician, who played bass and sang with the influential all-women country music band for four years from its inception in 1989, was traveling eastbound on US 62 when her car, a 2016 Ford F-150, was struck head-on by another vehicle.
She was pronounced dead on the scene. The Texas Department of Public Safety also confirmed Lynch’s death in a statement.
Chicks members Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines posted a tribute to Lynch on their Instagram channel.
“Laura was a bright light. Her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band,” it said, “Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
The driver of the other vehicle was transported to the hospital with no life-threatening injuries.
Lynch co-founded the group in 1989 with sisters Maguire and Strayer (née Erwin), and left the group after recording three albums in 1993. She was replaced by Maines. Initially the group’s bass player, she started singing with the band following the departure of its original vocalist, Robin Lynn Macy, in 1992.
The Department of Safety says it is still investigating the accident.
