Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chix, has died age 64.
The artist was killed in a head-on car crash in Texas, near the city of El Paso.
According to the ABC, local police confirmed the collision occurred when a car travelling in the opposite direction attempted to overtake another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle has reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Lynch was declared dead at the scene.
Co-founding then-the Dixie Chicks alongside Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin and Emily Erwin in 1990, Lynch recorded three albums with the band before leaving in 1993.
She reportedly left the group because she grew tired of life on the road.
In a statement on Instagram, the Chicks — who dropped “Dixie” from the band name in 2020 amid civil rights protests in the US — confirmed her passing and said they were “shocked and saddened”.
“Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West,” it read.
After her departure, the Dixie Chicks scored international success with the release of their album, Wide Open Spaces, in 1998.
“We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and travelling together,” the statement on the band’s Instagram said.
Lynch played upright bass for the popular country group in addition to providing lead vocals on the group’s third album, Shouldn’t a Told You That, before she was replaced by Natalie Maines.
The Chicks’ current members, Martie Erwin, Emily Erwin and Natalie Maines continued in their statement:
“Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humour gave a spark to the early days of our band.
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
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