Founding Member Of The Dixie Chicks Dead In TX Car Crash

EL PASO, TX — Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dallas-based country music group The Chicks — formerly known as The Dixie Chicks — died in a head-on car crash in El Paso Saturday, according to multiple reports. She was 65.

Lynch was driving eastbound on a two-way highway just outside of El Paso around 5:45 p.m. when a driver in a Dodge Ram heading westbound attempted to pass another car, crashing into Lynn's car head-on while traveling into the oncoming lane, the Texas Department of Public Safety said, according to WFSB and NBC News.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks," current members Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer said in a statement shared on Instagram. "We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing, and traveling together."

The statement continued: "Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. 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. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time."

Lynch co-founded The Dixie Chicks with Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin, and Emily Erwin in 1989 and performed on three albums as an upright bassist and then a singer with the group from 1990-1993.

The band officially changed their name to The Chicks in 2020.