The pursuit of flying is a balancing act between at least a dozen
variables; fun, travel, expense, risk, time, spouse, family, medical
etc... Some folks are fortunate to have all variables lined up in
their favor. Others may not be so fortunate. What weight you attach to
each of these variable depends on the individual. Some may quit flying
at the slightest exposure of risk. Others may continue flying even
after a near-fatal accident. Some may quit when the money runs out.
Others may sell their house to continue flying. Some may quit because
their spouse doesn't approve. Others may get a divorce. It is all a
matter of priorities, and there is no right or wrong answer.

I suspect that the person in question did not quit simply because of
the crosswind incident. He must have already had other reasons (even
subconsciously), and the crosswind incident is the one that broke the
camel's back.

Why is GA dying? It is because none of the above variables have moved
in a favorable direction in the past decade. As long as we continue to
put people in Washington who are ignorant about GA, this trend will
continue.