Driver Sentenced to 15 Years After Crash That Killed Laura Lynch
laura lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks, was killed in a Dec. 22, 2023, head-on crash on US62/180 in Hudspeth County, and the driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
How the crash unfolded
El Paso District Attorney James Montoya said Domenick Chavez, 33, admitted he was driving recklessly when his 2022 Dodge Ram collided head-on with Lynch’s 2016 F-150 near mile marker 74. The collision happened around 6 p. m. ET on a two-way undivided section of US62/180 as Chavez attempted to pass four vehicles while heading west toward El Paso County.
Investigators determined Chavez was driving between 106 and 114 miles per hour at the time of the attempt to pass. His truck caught fire in the crash; Chavez escaped and was treated at a hospital for injuries described as non-life-threatening, while Lynch was trapped in her vehicle and died from the injuries she suffered.
Laura Lynch’s death and the plea agreement
Montoya said Chavez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a 15-year prison sentence as part of a plea agreement. The district attorney noted Lynch’s musical career and said her death, which occurred just days before Christmas, caused profound sadness for her family and the Dell City community.
Chavez had been driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash; his license had been revoked following penalties tied to two prior DWI convictions in 2014 and 2017. Authorities determined he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the Dec. 22 crash.
Band members and local reaction
Members of the Chicks expressed shock and sorrow after Lynch’s death. In a joint statement, the band remembered her as a bright presence in the early days of the group and credited her with helping propel the band beyond street-corner performances to stages across Texas and the mid-West. The statement called Lynch’s talents “undeniable” and recalled her infectious energy and humor.
Lynch co-founded the Dixie Chicks with Robin Lynn Macy and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer. She recorded three independent albums with the group before leaving in 1993 and had maintained ties to the Dell City area.
Montoya said the prosecutor’s office will continue to hold accountable defendants who choose to drive in an extremely dangerous manner.
Under the plea agreement, Chavez will serve a 15-year prison term. For the family, the community and officials, the sentence closes the criminal case stemming from the Dec. 22 crash; Lynch’s death remains the confirmed outcome of that collision.
