Driver Ragnar Nickolas Kristl has been arrested in the death of YouTuber Andrew Cross aka Desert Drifter due to a car accident
After being removed from life support due to injuries he had received in a vehicle accident, YouTuber Andrew Cross passed away on Tuesday, March 4. His age was 36.
Andrew Cross, an outdoor adventure guide, was involved in a car accident on January 31 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Before his family made the decision to remove him from life support.
Who is driver Ragnar Nickolas Kristl arrested in the death of YouTuber Andrew Cross aka Desert Drifter after car accident as his cause of death is revealed
37-year-old Ragnar Nickolas Kristl was the driver of the white van which crashed into Andrew’s car and he is now booked in the Mesa County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving under the influence and careless driving.
“Andrew’s spirit is free, surrounded by light & love,” his sister, Jenna, wrote on Tuesday via a site created to give fans an update on his health battle. “He went to be with the Lord today.”
The death of her brother was described as a “peaceful” time “full of love in the room” because Cross’ wife, Evelyn, was “by his side” along with his parents and close friends.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office said 36-year-old Andrew Cross of Grand Junction died from injuries sustained in the crash with him suffering a traumatic head injury.
“It’s a big loss for all of us, and we’re immensely grateful for your steadfast support and prayers,” Jenna wrote. “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.”
Jenna mentioned that the doctors had placed Andrew Cross on a mobile ventilator prior to the family removing him from life support. The whole intensive care unit was then circled around the YouTuber “while all the available staff lined the hallway as a way to honour him.”
Terrible news was announced this morning about YouTube creator, @DesertDrifter, Andrew Cross. His family made the wrenching decision to remove Andrew from life support this morning. On January 31, 2025, Andrew was hit by a drunk driver in Colorado Springs while he was returning… pic.twitter.com/WvBLFk5hi9
— Jett Rink (@JettRink1956) March 4, 2025
Andrew Cross GoFundMe
After being involved in a “severe” vehicle accident in Colorado, renowned adventurer Andrew Cross passed away at the age of 36.
After receiving treatment for a severe brain injury sustained in a crash on January 31, Cross, who had half a million YouTube fans under the moniker “Desert Drifter,” passed away on Tuesday.
A week after a man was arrested for a serious injury crash on North Avenue, the Grand Junction Police Department announced the victim of the collision, Andrew Cross aka YouTuber Desert Drifter passed away Tuesday.
This is the DUI punk that killed Andrew Cross (Desert Drifter) https://t.co/QT79CizToi
— Goat Player (@specialcat99) March 3, 2025
Due to this, the original charge of vehicle assault has been amended to vehicular homicide for the suspect, 37-year-old Ragnar Nickolas Kristl, who was arrested on February 21.
The two-vehicle crash originally happened at North First Street and North Avenue on January 31 as the driver of a white van traveling eastbound at a high speed rear-ended a passenger vehicle stopped at a red light. Both drivers sustained serious injuries in the accident.
“The Grand Junction Police Department recognizes the profound impact of tragic incidents like this on the victim’s family, friends and the broader community. We encourage anyone in need of support to reach out to someone they trust or contact the GJPD Victim Services Unit for available resources,” the police department said.
Kristl was also charged with reckless driving, careless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and will be in court for a return filing of charges on March 12.
This was Andrew's car after being hit by drunk driver Ragnar Nickolas Kristl https://t.co/ivHYuTI18Q pic.twitter.com/pEfzLZo1uK
— Tony Heller (@TonyClimate) March 6, 2025
Donations to a GoFundMe page to cover the Cross family’s medical costs totaled $479,491 at the time of his passing.
On March 5, the Colorado-based creator’s friend Tara Winter wrote a moving ode to Cross on Instagram, calling him “one of the best people I’ve ever known.”
Winter went on, “He loved God and everyone he came into contact with, and he was sincere and selfless. You fell in love with him simply by being in his presence.
YouTuber ANDREW CROSS DIES aged 36 after being taken off life support following horror accident
Andrew, known as 'Desert Drifter' to half a million fans on YouTube, died peacefully on Tuesday, having sustained a serious brain injury in the January 31 crash.
Upd: , 6 March 2025 pic.twitter.com/PSDiR0SLg7
— www.Jonny Clock1977.us (@JonnyClock1977) March 6, 2025