Andrew Cross, the beloved adventurer and YouTuber known as “Desert Drifter,” has tragically passed away at the age of 36.
After spending over four weeks on life support in the ICU, Cross was taken off life support and died peacefully on Tuesday morning.
A Peaceful Farewell Surrounded by Loved Ones
The Virginia-born, Colorado-based adventurer’s sister, Jenna Spooner, shared the heartbreaking news with the public.
She revealed that Cross’s passing was surrounded by love and support.
His wife, Evelyn, his parents, and close friends were by his side as they bid farewell.
Spooner described the moment of Andrew’s life support removal as one filled with love and peace.
“Before removing Andrew from life support, they put him on a mobile ventilator and walked him around the ICU, while the entire available staff lined the hallway to honor him,” Spooner wrote on CaringBridge.org.
“In the room, family and friends read scripture, prayed, and sang.
It was peaceful and beautiful. Andrew truly lived life to the fullest, and his legacy will continue on through the stories and photos shared by so many.”
Tragic Accident Leads to His Untimely Death
Andrew Cross was involved in a devastating two-car accident on January 31, which ultimately led to his passing.
While waiting at a stoplight, Cross was rear-ended at high speed by another driver, Ragnar Nickolas Kristl.
The impact of the crash caused severe injuries, and Cross was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery to control the bleeding on his brain.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office in Colorado confirmed that Cross passed away from the injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver responsible for the accident, Kristl, has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, careless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A Community Mourns His Loss
Andrew Cross, who had built a loyal following of over 676,000 fans on social media, was known for his inspiring content as a Patreon creator and adventurer. His “Desert Drifter” community will miss him dearly.
In addition to his online presence, Cross had worked as a Wildland Trekking guide, capturing beautiful landscapes and adventure stories on his travels.
His family, in the wake of his tragic death, has raised over $482,000 from a GoFundMe campaign to support his wife Evelyn with medical bills and other expenses.
Cross was married to Evelyn for over three years, and their life together has been cut short far too soon.
As the world mourns his loss, Andrew’s family and loved ones take solace in knowing that his impact will live on through the stories shared by those who admired his adventurous spirit.