Lynch was driving her truck in El Paso, Texas when she was struck head-on by another vehicle and “was pronounced deceased on the scene by a justice of the peace,” according to a report from NPR. (Mercurynews)
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the musician’s death via a statement to NPR, which also reported that the “other driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries..”
The three current members of the Chicks — lead vocalist and guitarist Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and multi-instrumentalists Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer — posted a joint statement about Lynch’s passing on the band’s Instagram page.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band.
Vocalist-bassist Lynch co-founded the Dallas, Texas country group with sisters Maguire and Strayer (both née Erwin) and vocalist-guitarist Robin Lynn Macy in 1989. The foursome reportedly borrowed their original moniker from the title of Little Feat’s third studio outing, 1973’s “Dixie Chicken.”
