In the rugged backcountry of British Columbia, where dirt trails twist through towering mountains and dense forests, a couple known for chasing thrills in their tricked-out Toyota Land Cruiser met a heartbreaking end. Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, the faces behind the popular YouTube channel Toyota World Runners, lost their lives in a rollover crash on August 7, 2025. They were doing what they did best—exploring remote spots that most folks only dream about from the comfort of their living rooms. But this time, the adventure turned deadly, leaving behind a community of fans grieving the loss of two people who embodied the spirit of hitting the open road and pushing limits.
Matthew and Stacey weren't just any weekend warriors. Hailing from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, they turned their passion for off-roading into a full-time gig that inspired thousands. Their channel, Toyota World Runners, had racked up more than 200,000 subscribers by sharing raw footage of their trips, vehicle mods, and the ups and downs of life on the trail. On Instagram, where they posted snapshots of scenic campsites and muddy escapades, they had built a following of over 74,000 people who tuned in for the real-deal stories of exploration. What set them apart was their hands-on approach: back in the day, they pieced together what they called the world's first Land Cruiser Chinook—a custom rig blending a classic Toyota with camper vibes—all in just 100 days. They documented every bolt and weld, turning it into a blueprint for others dreaming of similar builds.
Their big plan was to tackle the Pan-American Highway, that epic stretch from the top of North America down to the tip of South America, and keep going wherever the wheels took them. It wasn't just about the miles; Matthew and Stacey talked a lot about personal growth, ditching the daily grind, and building a community of like-minded folks who craved the unknown. "We're sharing our build, the trip ideas, and some hard-earned lessons on why we hit the road and how you can find your own path to real satisfaction," their channel description put it plainly. For guys who've spent years behind a desk or in a garage, their videos were like a wake-up call—proof that with some grit and a solid truck, you could rewrite your story.
Just six days before the crash, they were soaking up the summer vibes on Vancouver Island, posting about emerging from the rainy season like "soggy rainforest dogs" finally basking in the sun. Photos showed them chilling at a cozy spot, maybe grilling up some burgers or kicking back with a cold one, enjoying the simple joys of seasonal changes after years on the move. It was the kind of update that made followers nod along, thinking about their own backyard getaways or planning that next fishing trip.
Then came the fateful day. Out in the West Kootenay region, near Trout Lake in the British Columbia Interior, things went wrong fast. The area is prime off-roading territory—high in the Purcell Range, with steep ridges like Silver Cup where loose gravel and uneven paths test even the toughest setups. Around 6:30 p.m. local time, their vehicle rolled over in a serious wreck. Rescuers from Kaslo Search and Rescue got the call and sprang into action, knowing daylight was fading and the terrain was no joke.
Mark Jennings-Bates, the communications manager for the team, later described the scene as tough all around. Ground crews hustled in with quads for quick access, while a local helicopter pilot was roped in to beat the clock. "It was a long haul to get there, but our guys made it efficiently," he told reporters. The chopper zeroed in, confident they'd pinpoint the spot. When they arrived, it was grim: one person was already gone, no signs of life. The other was found a bit away from the flipped rig, banged up bad and out of it. Medics stabilized her on site and airlifted her to Nakusp Hospital, but she didn't make it through the night. The team, working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the coroner, handled the recovery of the other body and got it down to Kaslo.
Jennings-Bates couldn't say for sure what caused the rollover—maybe a slip on the rough ground, a loss of grip that happens too quick to correct. He wasn't aware if they were rolling camera at the time, capturing what might have been another epic clip for the channel. The whole operation was complicated by the remote location, high elevation, and that ticking clock as the sun dipped low. "Our thoughts go out to the family and friends," he said, noting how the team had been running ragged with back-to-back calls in the days leading up.
Word spread quickly through their online circles, but it was Stacey's mom, Colleen Tourout, who broke the news officially on Facebook. Posting a photo of the couple grinning against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, she shared the gut-wrenching details. "With unimaginable heartache, the families of Matthew Peter Yeomans and Stacey Tourout want to let everyone know we lost them both to injuries from an off-road accident on August 7, 2025, in those beautiful British Columbia mountains they cherished so much," she wrote. She called it the "devastating end to an amazing love story," adding that they'd be together forever, just like everyone figured they would. It hit hard, especially knowing they'd gotten engaged back in April 2024—Matthew had shared a touching video of the proposal, full of that genuine excitement that comes with finding your ride-or-die partner.
For the off-roading crowd, this loss stings deep. Matthew and Stacey weren't flashy influencers chasing likes; they were the real thing, showing how to mod a rig on a budget, navigate sketchy trails, and turn breakdowns into stories worth telling over a campfire. Their journey reminded a lot of guys that life's too short to stay parked—get out there, explore, build something with your hands. But it also underscores the raw dangers: those backcountry paths don't forgive mistakes, and even pros can get caught off guard by a bad bounce or shifting rocks.
As tributes pour in from subscribers and fellow adventurers, their channel stands as a testament to what they built. Videos of dusty drives through wild landscapes, tips on overlanding gear, and honest talks about the mental side of constant travel—it's all there, frozen in time. Fans are rewatching favorites, sharing memories of how a clip inspired them to dust off their old Jeep or plan a cross-country haul. In a world where screens dominate, Matthew and Stacey proved you could log off, gear up, and chase horizons that stretch forever.
Their story ends too soon, but the legacy? That's rolling on, encouraging others to grab the wheel and live wide open—while remembering to respect the wild that can take it all away in a heartbeat. If you're out there plotting your next trail run, tip one out for them next time you hit the dirt.
