According to the Associated Press, the Taos County Sheriff’s Office reported that two drivers — Harris and an unnamed 16-year-old — were killed in three-way accident on New Mexico’s State Road 522. The third driver escaped injury.
The Texas native was on her way to give a performance Thursday at the Big Barn Music Festival in Taos. In her final post on twitter, Harris indicated that she was running out of gas. “Fuel range is 46 miles and I’m 36 from the nearest gas station,” she tweeted. “Dear baby Jesus please don’t let me get stranded in NM.”
“We are heartbroken to confirm that Kylie Rae Harris passed away in a car accident last night,” Harris’ publicist said in a statement to Billboard. “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.”
Since the news of her death, shocked fans have responded directly to the post.
Two to three hours after her worrisome tweet, the musician took to Instagram, sharing what would be her final “story” on the social media platform. Harris opened up about her road trip, and the personal significance of her going to Taos.
“I’m alright, I look a mess. It’s because I’ve been crying. It’s a good cry. I just got to Taos, New Mexico. 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,” Harris said to her more than 13 thousand followers on Instagram. She continued:
“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.”
Harris first appeared in the music scene in 2013 with the EP, Taking it Back. She released her second EP — self-titled — in March, featuring six tracks.
A post shared by Kylie Rae Harris (@kylierh) on Sep 3, 2019 at 5:47am PDT
“The music world lost a beautiful, kind, and incredibly talented woman last night,” fellow Texan and country musician Pat Green wrote, offering his condolences on Twitter Thursday. “Rest in peace Kylie Rae Harris!”
Harris is survived by a six-year-old daughter.
