Andrew Cross, a well-known travel influencer and YouTube star, passed away on Tuesday after being taken off life support. He was 36 years old. His family announced the heartbreaking news, saying he had been on life support for over a month following a severe brain injury from a car accident.
Cross, who was popularly known as “Desert Drifter” on social media, was involved in a tragic car crash on January 31. His vehicle was rear-ended at high speed, leaving him critically injured. Despite receiving medical care, he was unable to regain consciousness.
His sister, Jenna Spooner, shared an emotional update on the CaringBridge website. She described his final moments as “peaceful and beautiful,” surrounded by family, friends, and hospital staff. Before making the difficult decision to remove life support, his loved ones read scriptures, prayed, and sang in his honor.
A Life Lived to the Fullest
Andrew Cross was passionate about adventure and exploration. With over 700,000 followers, he created content focused on desert tours, mountain climbs, and historical sites. His videos inspired many people to explore nature and appreciate history.
His family expressed their gratitude for the love and support they have received. “It’s been wonderful to see photos and stories shared by so many,” Jenna said. “We look forward to honoring his life and legacy.”
Andrew’s wife, Evelyn, whom he married in 2021, also shared her pain and loss. She revealed that towards the end of February, he showed signs of discomfort, making it clear that life on machines was not what he would have wanted.
Investigation and Fundraising
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office in Colorado confirmed that Andrew’s cause of death was injuries from the accident. The driver responsible has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, careless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To support Evelyn and help cover medical expenses, the family started a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $489,000.
Andrew’s last video, posted on February 2, was a message of gratitude to his fans. “We’re so grateful to all of you for watching his videos. It’s mind-blowing that you show up and support them,” he said.
His passing is a deep loss to his loved ones and the online community. His adventurous spirit and love for storytelling will always be remembered.
