The tragic death of Dixie Chick Laura Lynch in a car accident

Laura Lynch, founding member of the popular American country music group Dixie Chicks (now called The Chicks), died in a car accident in Texas at the age of 65.

Lynch died in the night of Friday, December 22, as a result of an accident. She was driving on a highway outside of El Paso, Texas, when a vehicle going in the opposite direction hit her from the front, TMZ reported.

Photo: Facebook @kent.perkins.77

The singer was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while the other driver, who has not been identified, was admitted to a local hospital without serious injuries, TMZ added.

Photo: Facebook @sherry.jaquess

Emily Strayer, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire, current members of the band The Chicks, were very sorry for the loss of Laura, as she was one of the group's founders.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn... We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and travelling together. Laura was a bright light ... her infectious energy and humour gave a spark to the early days of our band..."

Photo: Facebook @leo.eilts

"…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," Emily, Martie, and Natalie noted on their Instagram account.

Photo: Instagram @thechicks

Lynch was born in 1958 and her taste for music led her to be one of the four founding women of the band Dixie Chicks.

Photo: Facebook @laura.lynch.378

Lynch, who was the girl group's double bassist, founded the Dixie Chicks in Dallas, Texas, in 1989 with Robin Lynn Macy and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer.

Photo: Facebook @leo.eilts

She recorded three albums with her bandmates until separating from the group in 1995, but not before becoming the lead vocalist on the third studio album, 'Shouldn't a Told You That', after Macy's departure.

Lynch decided to leave the group because she wanted to focus on her family.

Photo: Instagram @thechicks

As a result, Lynch was no longer part of the album 'Wide Open Spaces' (1998) that brought them international recognition.

Although she no longer enjoyed the popularity of the band, Lynch always stated that she never regretted her decision to retire from the group and live her life away from the stage.

Photo: Facebook @christydunawaysmith

After her departure, the singer was replaced by Natalie Maines, who assumed the lead vocals of the group.

It must be added that the group decided to change its name to The Chicks in 2020.

Photo: Facebook @thechicks

They dropped the word 'dixie' due to the racial connotations the term has in the context of southern states' history and race relations.

Photo: Benjamin Disinger / Unsplash

Thus, Laura Lynch will always be remembered as a key piece in the formation and growth of the band Dixie Chicks and a great contributor to country music.

Photo: Instagram @thechicks