YouTuber Andrew Cross, who gained popularity as an outdoor and travel influencer, has died at the age of 36, one month after suffering a brain injury during a car accident, his family announced on the CaringBridge donation page launched to help support him and his wife after the accident.
"Andrew’s spirit is free, surrounded by light & love 🤍," his sister, Jenna Spooner, posted on Tuesday (March 4). "He went to be with the Lord today, March 4 at 10:50 AM MST. It was peaceful and full of love in the room with Evelyn by his side, his parents and close friends nearby.
"It’s a big loss for all of us, and we’re immensely grateful for your steadfast support and prayers ❤️ Throughout all of this, it’s been our heart to stay full of faith, so we wouldn’t look back and wonder “what if…” 🙏🏼 Thank you for walking in that with us.
Spponer confirmed that her brother was "put on a mobile ventilator and walked a loop around the whole ICU" with staffers lining the hallway to honor him before the family made the "difficult decision" to take him off life support. The YouTuber passed peacefully about an hour later, according to his sister.
"Andrew really lived life to the fullest, and his story & impact isn’t over yet. It’s been wonderful to get to know him in new ways as we’ve seen photos and stories shared by so many. We look forward to more of that as we honor a life well lived," she added.
“We know that a life dependent on machines is not what Andrew wants. It’s not God’s will for Andrew, either,” Spooner wrote, claiming Cross had become extremely uncomfortable toward the end of February, showing discomfort by “grimacing with procedures like brushing his teeth or adjusting his position in bed.”
Cross was ruled to have died from injuries sustained in the January crash, the Mesa County Coroner's Office in Colorado confirmed to TMZ on Wednesday (March 5). Evelyn Cross, who married the YouTuber in 2021, told the outlet that her husband was unable to regain consciousness after the accident, which resulted in the other driver being charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, careless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Cross amassed more than 700,000 followers on his social media accounts, which featured content showcasing “exploration and adventure with a historical twist.” Cross' family raised more than $489,000 through a GoFundMe launched to help his family pay for medical expenses, which was at 96% of its $510,000 goal as of Thursday (March 6) morning.