Popular YouTuber Andrew Cross has tragically passed away at the age of 36 after being taken off life support a month following a severe car accident in Colorado.
Known to his half a million fans as ‘Desert Drifter,’ Andrew died peacefully on Tuesday, March 4, after suffering a serious brain injury in the crash that occurred on January 31.
Andrew’s sister, Jenna Spooner, shared the news on the CaringBridge website, stating, “Andrew’s spirit is free, surrounded by light and love.”
She recounted how loved ones gathered around him in the ICU, where he was placed on a mobile ventilator and walked around the unit, with staff lining the hallway to honor his memory. In his room, family and friends read scripture, prayed, and sang as life support was removed, continuing to celebrate him for over an hour afterward.
Earlier this week, the family made the difficult decision to take Andrew off life support after observing his discomfort in late February.
Andrew was known for his vlogging style, which he described as “exploration and adventure with a historical twist,” documenting his desert tours and mountain climbs for his viewers.
The Virginia-born adventurer was tragically involved in a two-car accident in late January, where he was rear-ended at high speed while stopped. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office in Colorado confirmed to TMZ on Wednesday that Andrew succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.
Just a day prior, Jenna shared that the family’s gathering to support Andrew in letting go was “peaceful and beautiful,” reflecting on how he “really lived life to the fullest.” She expressed gratitude for the stories and photos shared by his supporters and emphasized, “His story and impact aren’t over yet. We look forward to more of that as we honor a life well lived.”
On Sunday, Jenna announced the decision to remove Andrew from life support, noting that it could take “minutes, days, or weeks” for him to pass after the support was turned off. “We know that a life dependent on machines is not what Andrew wants. It’s not God’s will for Andrew, either,” she stated.
Andrew’s family reported that although he had been stable, he had become increasingly uncomfortable, showing distress during routine procedures.
In support of his wife, Evelyn, Andrew’s family raised over $482,000 through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering medical bills and other expenses. Andrew and Evelyn had been married for over three years.
