YouTuber Andrew Cross has died at the age of 36, a month after being seriously injured in a car accident in Colorado.

Cross, who was known as “Desert Drifter,” had hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube. He succumbed Tuesday to the severe brain injuries he suffered after the Jan. 31 car accident. News of his death was confirmed by his sister, Jenna Spooner, who said that “his spirit is free, surrounded by light and love.”

The family’s difficult decision

Cross’s family announced that they made the difficult decision to remove his life support on March 4 after determining that the young YouTuber‘s condition was irreversible. According to Jenna, his family and friends accompanied him on his final journey when he walked out of the ICU, while medical staff honored him with a silent procession.

“We prayed and sang during the process of disconnecting from the machines and an hour later,” his sister said.

Cross’ career

Cross had become known through his YouTube videos, in which he recorded his desert wanderings and climbs. He had about 600,000 followers.

The car crash and accountability

The tragic car accident occurred on January 31, when Cross stopped at a traffic light and another vehicle hit him at high speed. The driver of the vehicle, Ragnar Nicholas Cristle, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

After the accident, Cross was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency brain surgery. However, his condition deteriorated, and his chances of recovery were deemed extremely limited.

Emotions and messages of support

His wife, Evelyn, who was by his side until the end, thanked those who supported the family at this difficult time. Through a GoFundMe campaign, more than $482,000 was raised to cover the family’s medical expenses and needs.

Cross’s fans flooded social media with messages of farewell, paying tribute to the YouTuber. “Desert Drifter was an inspiration to me. I looked forward to his every video,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).

Another follower said, “Thank you for taking us to places we will never visit. I know your soul wanders freely in nature.”

Andrew Cross’ legacy, as his family emphasizes, will live on through the stories and videos he shared with the world.