Andrew Cross, Desert Drifter YouTube star, dies at 36

Andrew Cross, known as Desert Drifter, passed away at 36 after a brain injury from a car crash.

Prominent adventurer Andrew Cross, known to his half-million YouTube followers as “Desert Drifter,” passed away on Tuesday at the age of 36 after being taken off life support.

His family made the difficult decision following a severe car accident in Colorado on January 31 that left Cross with a catastrophic brain injury. He had been on life support for nearly a month, during which time his condition showed little improvement.

Cross, a Virginia native, was rear-ended at high speed while stopped at a light, leading to emergency brain surgery to address the bleeding on his brain. Despite efforts to save him, his family reported in late February that his recovery was unlikely, as medical opinions suggested his chances of regaining consciousness were slim. They ultimately decided that continuing life support was not in line with what Andrew would have wanted. In a tribute on CaringBridge, his sister Jenna Spooner described his passing as peaceful, surrounded by love and light.

Fans of Cross, who documented desert tours and mountain climbs on his channel, have flooded social media with tributes. Many admired his exploration of the American West, particularly his focus on Native American culture and history. One fan wrote on X, "Thank you for taking me places I will never go. I’ll see you in the stars." Another said, “His respect for nature and the indigenous history was admirable. What a terrible loss."

In the aftermath of his passing, Andrew’s family expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support from his fans and the broader community. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $482,000 for his wife Evelyn, who had been by his side throughout the ordeal. Andrew’s legacy will live on through the stories and videos he shared with his devoted followers