What happened to Desert Drifter? GoFundMe raises over $61,000 in a day as community rallies around severely injured YouTuber 

The online community is rallying around Desert Drifter (34), a dedicated desert adventurer and professional guide from Grand Junction, Colorado, who reportedly sustained severe injuries in an accident on Friday, January 31, 2024. Desert Drifter, whose real name is Andrew Cross, is a popular YouTuber who has amassed over 400K followers by covering travel and adventure-related content.

On Sunday, February 1, 2024, The YouTuber’s wife, Evelyn, shared a video on his channel, imploring followers to pray for her husband, who was reportedly in an accident on Friday. In the video, Evelyn revealed her husband, Andrew Cross, aka Desert Drifter, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury following a major car accident on Friday night.

The YouTuber, who immediately underwent brain surgery upon arrival at the ER, was reportedly in the intensive care unit fighting for his life, his wife said in the clip. She added:

“This community has been the most enormous blessing to us both this past year. You are all more than just his subscribers, you are people who recognize just how special he is and show up to honor that week after week with your time and kind words. I feel confident that he would want you all to know this news. Please be praying for him and sending all of the good thoughts.”

Evelyn added that she has created a caring bridge website for donations. A community member, Hannah Schweitzer, wrote she has initiated a GoFundMe to render financial assistance to the couple.

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Desert Drifter GoFundMe raises over $61,000 from nearly 900 donors

Desert Drifter’s fans swarmed the GoFundMe page, which witnessed donations from nearly 900 people who helped raise over $63,000 in a day. The fundraiser, asking $8,000, surpassed donations by a significant margin, highlighting the love and support of the Youtuber’s loyal fanbase.

The fundraiser said the donations would go toward covering Desert Drifters' medical bills. Community members also offered words of support to the couple during difficult times. A person wrote:

“Andrew and Evelyn, I thank God for the fascinating insights and spirit of adventure that you share so beautifully. Praying for you to get back on the trail, Andrew. God bless you both!”

Another added:

“All the best to the Cross family! Sending you and Andrew prayers from Taiwan where I have been an avid viewer (perhaps the one and only?). Nevertheless, like butterfly whispers our prayers can multiply across vast distances and bring resounding calm and stability even in the darkest hour of a tumultuous, moonless night.”

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What we know about Desert Drifter

Desert Drifter, who served as a guide with All-Star Grand Canyon Tours has been sharing insights from his adventures and guiding experiences since 2023. During his appearance in Inspire Campfire podcast last year, the YouTuber revealed he served as a youth pastor. The YouTuber revealed he found a profound connection to the wilderness during a backpacking trip in his mid-20s.

He mentioned that shortly after the trip, he injured his back during surfing and suffered from depression stemming from chronic pain. His love and loss of the great outdoors inspired him to seek solace in the wilderness.