Colorado quarterback dominiq ponder, 23, was the sole occupant in a single vehicle crash that left him dead, the Colorado State Patrol said in a news release. The patrol said it responded at approximately 3 a.m. and identified the vehicle as a 2023 Tesla Model 3.
The CSP said the car was traveling westbound on Baseline Road near Newland Court in Boulder county when the driver lost control on a right hand curve, crossed the eastbound lane and struck a guardrail. Investigators said the vehicle continued through the guardrail, hit an electrical line pole, rolled down an embankment, landed on its wheels and caught fire, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The CSP said its vehicular crimes unit is leading the investigation and that its preliminary findings show speed is suspected as a factor. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced Ponder’s death on social media and asked for comfort for the player’s family and teammates.
University of Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said the CU Athletics family is devastated and praised Ponder’s passion, leadership and toughness in a university release. CU said counseling resources are being offered to student athletes and staff after the loss, and coaches and teammates posted remembrances on social media.
Background And Reactions
Ponder joined Colorado as a walk on after transferring from Bethune Cookman and had been with the Buffaloes for two seasons. He appeared in two games for Colorado, making his CU debut in a loss to Arizona where he played the final three snaps and went 0 for 1 on passes, and he played on the kickoff team the next week against West Virginia.
Teammates and coaches posted tributes. Quarterback Colton Allen called Ponder a blessing who brought joy and said he would carry memories of practices and conversations. Brennan Marion, Colorado’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, described Ponder as a joy to coach and said the news hurt. Running backs coach Johnnie Mack and former kicker Alexander Stoyanovich recalled his laughter and positive presence.
The university said Ponder had spent offseason workouts with the team and was expected to serve as one of the backups for Julian Lewis in the coming campaign. Ponder was from Opa Locka, Florida, and attended Carol City High School before going to Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy and playing at Bethune Cookman earlier in his college career.
