Laura Lynch, a founding member and former lead vocalist of the country music band originally known as The Dixie Chicks, and later The Chicks, has died at the age of 65. Lynch was involved in a fatal car accident near El Paso, Texas, on Friday evening, December 22. 

The tragic incident was reported by Lynch’s cousin, Michael Lynch, to CBS News. According to a Texas Department of Safety report obtained by HuffPost, the accident occurred when another vehicle attempted to overtake a car on a two-way undivided highway section, resulting in a head-on collision with Lynch’s car. Lynch died at the scene. The other driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Lynch played a major role in the formation of The Dixie Chicks in 1989, with Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin, and Emily Erwin. She was initially the band’s upright bassist and later became the lead vocalist following Macy’s departure in 1992. During her tenure with the band, they recorded three albums before her departure in 1993. Natalie Maines replaced Lynch as the lead vocalist in 1995.

The band gained significant commercial success in 1998 with their fourth album, “Wide Open Spaces,” which was the first to feature Maines. The reasons for Lynch’s departure from the band varied over the years. In a 2003 interview with Texas’ Plainview Herald, Lynch declined to discuss the specifics, noting that she and the group had agreed not to talk about it publicly. She expressed no regrets about missing out on the band’s later fame, acknowledging the pain of being replaced but emphasizing her contentment with her life choices.

The current members of The Chicks, Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, and Natalie Maines, paid tribute to Lynch on their official Instagram page. They shared a video of Lynch performing with the band and expressed their shock and sadness over her passing. The post highlighted Lynch’s bright light, infectious energy, humor, and her contributions to the early success of the band.

Strayer and Maguire, who had founded the band with Lynch and Macy, signed the post along with Maines. They extended their thoughts to Lynch’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Laura Lynch is survived by her husband, Mac Tull, and their daughter, Asia.