His family has announced that the popular travel influencer has been killed after he was alive on Tuesday a month after suffering serious brain damage in a car accident. He was 36 years old.
Known to hundreds of thousands of fans on social media as “Desert Drifter,” Andrew Cross was involved in a car accident on January 31st, and he was at the rear at high speed.
The Virginia-born YouTube star has been dependent on life support for just over four weeks.
“Andrew's spirit is free and surrounded by light and love,” wrote Cross's “Sister of Grief Jenna Spooner, Caringbridge website this week.
Spooner said her brother was recognized by his friends, family and hospital staff before his loved ones made “difficult decisions” to end his life support.
“Then in the room, friends and family read the Bible, prayed, and sang the process of removing life support and then over an hour afterwards,” his sister wrote on her website, saying that his final moments were “peaceful and beautiful.”
“Andrew really lived his life to the fullest,” she continued. “I saw the photos and stories that a lot of people have shared, so it was great to know him in a new way, and we look forward to it even more.
“We know that machine-dependent life isn't what Andrew wants. It's not God's will either for Andrew,” she wrote, saying her brother was extremely uncomfortable at the end of February.
Closs was discomfort when he “frowned at steps such as brushing his teeth and adjusting his position in bed,” she wrote.
The YouTuber's family subsequently raised more than $489,000 from GoFundMe, supporting his wife, Evelyn, for medical expenses.
The Mesa County Coroner's Office in Colorado has been confirmed TMZ Wednesday when an influencer died from injuries sustained when crashing in January.
Evelyn, who married Cross in 2021, told the outlet she was unable to regain consciousness following the accident. Other drivers were charged with murdering a vehicle, driving recklessly, driving carelessly, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Cross boasts over 700,000 followers on social media, describing his content as “exploration and adventure with a historic twist.”
His videos usually recorded desert tours and climbing.
The final video for the social media star took place on February 2nd, and he thanked his followers for their prayers and support.
“I'm very grateful to everyone who watched his video, he said in the clip.
