Texas singer-songwriter Kylie Rae Harris died on Wednesday, September 4 in a car accident in New Mexico. She was 30 years old.
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Billboard reports that the car accident involved three cars on State Road 522. Another driver, a 16-year-old girl, was also killed in the accident. Harris was in New Mexico to perform a show in Taos on Thursday, September 5.
Harris' publicist confirmed in the news in a statement to Billboard.
"We are heartbroken to confirm that Kylie Rae Harris passed away in a car accident last night," Harris' publicist says in the statement. "We have no further details to share, and ask for privacy for her family at this time. Everyone that knew Kylie knew how much she loved her family and, beyond that, how much she loved music. The best tribute to her unmatched enthusiasm for both is to spread as much love as you can today, and listen to music that fully inspires you."
Harris released her self-titled EP in March of 2019. The six song collection included the songs "Twenty Years From Now," "Big Ol' Heartache" and "Missouri."
In March, Harris told Billboard that "Twenty Years From Now" was written as a message to her daughter, Corbie.
Harris released her debut album Taking it Back in 2013. In addition to her music career, she was also the owner of the Wylie, Texas-based vintage boutique Corbie + Co.
Update:
In a statement to People, the Taos County sheriff's office said Harris' vehicle hit a black Chevrolet Avalanche from behind, which sent Harris' vehicle into the northbound traffic lane where it collided head on with Maria Elena Cruz's white 2008 Jeep. 16-year-old Cruz was killed in the crash.
The Associated Press reports that the sheriff's office suspects alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash. However, toxicology reports have not yet been released.
Harris' mother Betsy Cowan told People her daughter had struggled with alcohol "on-and-off over the years." She declined to share more details "out of respect to both families."
Cowan also told People that Harris may have been sleep deprived.
"If you've ever had to take defensive driving, they say sleep deprivation, emotions and alcohol are the top three contributors to most wrecks," Cowan told People. "And so any one of those things could have done it... She had driven 11 or 12 hours that day, and I'm sure that she was exhausted and she was emotionally exhausted. And I think we all know that what that does to you."
