Stefania Sarrubba
A Texas driver who was accused of manslaughter following a fatal car crash which claimed the life of Dixie Chicks founding member Laura Lynch has received a prison sentence.
The crash took place in December 2023, just a few days before Christmas, when 33-year-old Domenick Chavez was driving on the highway in Hudspeth County, Texas.
Chavez was at the wheel despite having a suspended license because of two previous Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) convictions, and was driving at over 100 mph when his car struck Lynch's in a head-on collision near Cornudas between El Paso and Dell City, where the singer had rental properties.
Lynch, who was known for being the bassist and co-founder of the Dixie Chicks (renamed to The Chicks in 2020), died on impact at the age of 65. On the scene, Chavez's car was engulfed in flames and he was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.
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Investigators ruled that Chavez was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but determined he had been speeding at the time of the crash. More than two years after the accident, he received a prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
On 25 February, Chavez was sentenced to 15 years in prison after striking a deal with prosecutors and admitting to recklessly driving.
“The death of Ms. Lynch caused profound sadness for her family, the Dell City community, and all those who appreciated her music. It is a loss made more acute by the fact that it happened just days before Christmas,” said James Montoya, the El Paso district attorney, (via El Paso Times).
“Our office will continue to hold accountable those defendants who choose to drive in an extremely dangerous manner.”
Lynch co-founded the Dixie Chicks alongside Robin Lynn Macy and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer back in 1989. She recorded three albums with the group, taking over vocals when Macy left in 1992. Lynch left in 1995 and was replaced by Natalie Maines.
In the aftermath of her passing, the band paid tribute to Lynch in a statement.
“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. 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,” the Chicks said.