The country music world is in mourning. Texas country singer Kylie Ray Harris was involved in a three-vehicle crash on State Road 522 in New Mexico on Wednesday night (Sep 4). The crash took her life, as well as the life of a 16-year-old driving another vehicle. The third driver was uninjured.
According to a press release issued by Sergeant Jason Rael of the Taos County Sheriff’s Office, alcohol is suspected as being a factor in the crash.
Harris was in New Mexico because she was performing at the Big Barn Dance in Taos. She was beloved in the Texas country scene and was a revered songwriter as well.
See some reactions from her peers below.
Rest In Peace to a wonderful artist and an even better person.
We’ll all miss you terribly @KylieRH
— Jake Ward (@Jakewardcountry) September 5, 2019
The music world lost a beautiful, kind, and incredibly talented woman last night….rest in peace Kylie Rae Harris!
— Pat Green (@PATGREENMUSIC) September 5, 2019
My heart is heavy today. I’ve seen two people who have passed and one of those being @KylieRH and that really breaks my heart. I can not believe this and my heart hurts for this. Please send your prayers to her family and friends.
— Madison Paige Country (@MPC_TX) September 5, 2019
I can't find the words for you, @KylieRH. You were a light. A beauty. A wordsmith. A loving mother, and a friend to all of us. This is a huge loss for our community and to the world for the songs that you had yet to write.
— Jamie Lin Wilson (@jamielinwilson) September 5, 2019
Just a few hours before she passed away, Harris took to her Instagram stories to speak to her fans about why being in Toas had her emotional.
She said, “I’m alright, I look a mess. It’s because I’ve been crying. It’s a good cry. I just got to Taos, NM. But for those of you who don’t know, I spent the last 20 years of my life coming to Taos with my dad, my sisters, my grandparents lived here, my uncle still lives here. Literally everybody that was here has passed away, except for my uncle, including my dad. Driving these roads today—I’ve been driving for 12 hours—you would think that’s so exhausting and boring … And remembering my place in the back seat, and I started getting really sad…”
See the videos below.
— FanzForever (@forever_fanz) September 5, 2019
— FanzForever (@forever_fanz) September 5, 2019
— FanzForever (@forever_fanz) September 5, 2019
She is survived by her 6-year-old daughter and close family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Watch her sing a sweet duet with her daughter below.