Fresno native and nature enthusiast Tyler "TJ" Andrus, 26, passed away Thursday when his car plowed through a guardrail, rolled, and ultimately smashed into a giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum). There is evidence that Andrus was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident, but investigators are awaiting autopsy results before ascribing a cause to the incident.
TJ is remembered by friends, schoolmates, and local law enforcement officers as a "tree-hugger" who enjoyed long walks in the woods and camping in the branches of any tree that was scheduled to be cut down. Friends also fondly recall how he was passionate about saving trees but willing to pull up "just about any other plant to see if it made a 'good smoke.'"
The funeral will be held next Friday following a memorial service for the redwood which suffered fatal damage in the crash and had to be cut down.