Dramatic new video shows wreckage from the fatal crash that killed Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks, in a head-on car crash in Texas.
The 65-year-old musician died instantly when her Ford F-150 was struck when a westbound truck entered her eastbound lane attempting to pass two cars on the highway just outside of El Paso on Friday afternoon.
Smoke started billowing from Lynch’s car, causing a driver who had stopped behind the crash to cut the country star’s seatbelt and remove her from the vehicle, explained @mavmoto182 in a video posted to TikTok.
The driver of the other vehicle was rushed to a hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, while Lynch was declared dead at the scene.
The Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed the star’s death.
AP
According to her cousin Mick Lynch, she was driving from El Paso to Dell City.
In the disturbing new video, which shows the devastating aftermath of the accident, two cars can be seen badly mangled and charred after apparently being on fire.
Lynch founded the Dixie Chicks, now known as just the Chicks, in 1988 with Robin Lynn Macy and two sisters, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire.
Lynch originally played upright bass for the wildly popular country group and provided lead vocals on the band’s first two albums: “Thank Heavens for Dale Evans” in 1990 and “Little Ol’ Cowgirl” in 1992.
“Our brand of cowgirl music is a mixture of old-time country music, bluegrass music, acoustic,” she told NPR in 1992. “We all sing three-part and four-part harmony. We throw in some instrumentals, some country swing. That’s our brand of cowgirl music.”
Three years later she was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Chicks,” they wrote on Saturday. “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,” they added. “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.”
Nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow, who has collaborated with the Chicks, commented on their Instagram post: “Feeling your sadness.”
Lynch is survived by one daughter, Asia, and her husband Mac Wells.