Laura Lynch, founder of The Dixie Chicks, has died at the age of 65

Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks), has passed away. She was 65.

According to multiple reports, Lynch died Friday evening after the truck she was riding in was involved in a head-on collision in West Texas. Lynch’s cousin, Michael, confirmed the news CBS News. The Chicks’ Instagram account also shared the news in a post on Saturday with a throwback video of the group’s performance in the early days.

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the times we spent together playing music, laughing and traveling,” the verified IG account said from the group. in the long caption. “Laura was a bright light… her infectious energy and humor added a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in its early success of the band. Her undeniable talents have helped us reach beyond street corners and onto stages throughout Texas and the Midwest. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”

Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines signed the moving tribute.

The Texas news station reports this KTSMThe fatal crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. on US Highway 62 in Hudspeth County, just east of El Paso. The Texas Department of Public Safety said a truck was traveling westbound when the driver tried to pass another vehicle. That truck then collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by Lynch, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The other truck caught fire and the man in that vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash is still under investigation.

Lynching founded the Dixie Chicks with her sisters Emily and Martie in 1989. The group also included Robin Lynn Macy, the guitarist and a former high school math teacher. The band released their first independent studio album, Thank goodness for Dale Evans, in 1990. About three years after the band came together, the foursome became a trio after Macy retired. That same year, in 1992, the band released their independent second album, Little old cowgirl. The last independent studio album, I shouldn’t have told you thatcame the following year.

Lynch left the group in 1995, allowing Maines to join the group. Three years later, the group released their first major label album, called Large open spaceswhich became a monumental success and the hit “I can love you better.”

In 2020, the group would change their name to simply The Chicks, dropping “Dixie” in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, as “Dixie” was a nickname for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Lynch is survived by her husband and daughter.