Laura Lynch, founder of the country group The Chicks, died at the age of 65 in a car accident in Texas.
The musician, who was the original bassist and lead singer of the group formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, was killed in a head-on collision Friday on a highway in Hudspeth County, Sgt. Eliot Torres of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to PEOPLE.
The Chicks shared a statement on social media afterwards, remembering their former bandmate as a “bright light”.
According to a statement from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene of Friday’s crash, which happened on Highway 62 around 5:45 pm MST.
Lynch was traveling eastbound on the freeway when another driver — who was traveling westbound — attempted to pass the vehicle on the “two-way undivided portion” of the road, striking Lynch’s vehicle head-on, according to the initial report. The driver of the vehicle that struck Lynch was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the release.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the Ministry.
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The band’s official social media channels released a statement on Saturday, saying the band members were “shocked and saddened” by the loss of Lynch, who was a member during the 1989 formation of The Chicks.
In a tribute to the band posted on Instagram and Xu (formerly Twitter), The Chicks shared a video of Lynch performing “West Texas Wind” with her bandmates.
“We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together,” read a statement signed by members Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire. “Laura was a shining light… her infectious energy and humor provided a spark to the early days of our band.”
“Laura had a gift for design, a love of Texas and was instrumental in the band’s early success,” the statement continued. “Her undeniable talents helped take us from driving on street corners to stages across Texas and the Midwest. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
Lynch formed The Chicks with guitarist Robin Lynn Macy and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer in 1989, according to a CMT biography.
She was part of the band during the release of their first three albums, including their 1990 debut LP. Thank heavens for Dale Evans, in 1992 sophomore effort Little old cowgirl and in 1993 I shouldn’t tell you that.
She left the band in 1993, years before The Chicks welcomed current member Natalie Maines and broke into the mainstream with their fourth LP in 1998. Wide open spaces.
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Source: HIS Education