Man sentenced to 15 years in crash that killed Dixie Chicks founder Laura Lynch
laura lynch, a founding member of the group now known as The Chicks, died after a head-on collision on Dec. 22, 2023, and the driver who struck her has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentence follows a guilty plea to manslaughter tied to a high-speed passing attempt on a rural West Texas highway.
Guilty plea and 15-year sentence for Domenick Chavez
Domenick Chavez, 33, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a plea agreement in a Texas court and will spend 15 years in prison. The 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office issued a statement about the case, and El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya, who also oversees Hudspeth County, announced details in a news release.
How the Dec. 22, 2023 crash unfolded in Hudspeth County
Prosecutors say Chavez was driving westbound when he attempted to pass four vehicles on a two-way undivided highway and collided head-on with laura lynch’s eastbound truck in Hudspeth County, in rural West Texas. Chavez was traveling between 106 and 114 mph when the trucks collided. Chavez was not determined to be driving drunk that night.
Chavez escaped from his truck with non-life-threatening injuries as it erupted in flames; laura lynch, 65, of Dell City, was trapped in her vehicle and died at the scene. Prosecutors noted Chavez was driving on a suspended license that had been revoked after two prior DWI convictions, tied to convictions in 2014 and 2017, and for failing to comply with related surcharges and penalties.
Founding the Dixie Chicks and Lynch’s role
Laura Lynch co-founded the Dixie Chicks in 1989 with Robin Lynn Macy and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (née Erwin). Lynch, a bass player, and Macy shared lead vocal duties until Macy’s departure in 1993, when Lynch became the sole frontwoman as the trio rose in popularity as a regional favorite in Texas. Lynch was later replaced by Natalie Maines in 2005.
With Lynch on lead vocals the Dixie Chicks recorded three independent albums: "Thank Heavens for Dale Evans", "Little Ol’ Cowgirl" and "Shouldn’t a Told You That". The band’s pre-Maines direction emphasized bluegrass, retro-country and a cowgirl image.
Officials and bandmates reacted to Lynch’s death
El Paso District Attorney James Montoya said, “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. Our office will continue to hold accountable those defendants who choose to drive in an extremely dangerous manner. ”
Members of the group — Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire — issued a joint statement on Lynch’s death saying they were “shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Chicks. ” They said Lynch’s “infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band, ” that she was “instrumental in the early success of the band, ” and that they “hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. ”
Later career notes and personal life details
The trio that followed Lynch achieved major commercial success: the group had a breakthrough album, "Wide Open Spaces, " in 1998 and the band has won 13 Grammys; the band changed its name to The Chicks in 2020. In the same year Lynch was let go from the band she reconnected with her high school sweetheart and future husband, rancher Mac Tull, who had reportedly recently won $26. 8 million in a lottery; they wed in 1997. In a 1995 interview with the society columnist of the Dallas Morning News, Lynch made it clear that the exit had not been her idea.
