Driver Gets 15 Years in Prison for Crash that Killed Dixie Chicks Founding Member Laura Lynch

A Texas man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for causing a head-on car crash that killed Dixie Chicks founding member Laura Lynch in December 2023.

The El Paso County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that Domenick Chavez, 33, received the jail sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter. According to prosecutors, crash reconstruction experts determined that Chavez was driving between 106 and 114 miles per hour when he crashed into Lynch’s car on U.S. Highway 62/180 in Dell City, Texas.

“The death of Ms. Lynch caused profound sadness for her family, the Dell City community and all those who appreciated her music,” said El Paso DA James Montoya in a statement. “It is a loss made more acute by the fact that it happened just days before Christmas. Our office will continue to hold accountable those defendants who choose to drive in an extremely dangerous manner.”

Lynch co-founded the Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, alongside Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin and Emily Erwin in 1989. Initially, the country group’s upright bass player and later its lead singer, Lynch performed on the albums Thank Heavens for Dale Evans (1990), Little Ol’ Cowgirl (1992) and Shouldn’t a Told You That (1993) before departing the act in 1993. She was ultimately replaced by Natalie Maines.

At the time of Lynch’s death at age 65, the current members of The Chicks posted on Instagram that they were “shocked and saddened” by the news.

“We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together,” wrote the group. “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.”

Lawyers for Chavez and Lynch’s estate did not immediately return Billboard‘s requests for comment on Wednesday (Feb. 25).

Chavez, a resident of El Paso County, was indicted in June 2024. The DA’s office alleges he recklessly attempted to pass four vehicles simultaneously on a two-way undivided highway and collided head-on with Lynch’s car. According to prosecutors, Lynch was trapped inside the catastrophically damaged car and died from her injuries.

The DA’s office says Chavez was driving on a suspended license stemming from prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, though alcohol was not a factor in this incident.