Dominiq Ponder, a 23-year-old quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes and native of South Florida, died in a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in Boulder County. He was driving a 2023 Tesla that lost control on a curve, struck a guardrail and an electrical pole, and rolled down an embankment. Police suspect speed as a factor in the incident.
The crash occurred on Baseline Road in Boulder County, Colorado, where the road, which runs straight for miles, curves around a reservoir. According to the Colorado State Patrol, Ponder was alone in the vehicle at approximately 3 a.m. when it veered off course. The 2023 Tesla hit a guardrail, collided with an electrical line pole, and tumbled down an embankment, leaving Ponder pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation by authorities indicates that speed was a suspected contributing factor, though further details on the cause remain under review. Ponder, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa-Locka, Florida, had transferred to Colorado from Bethune-Cookman University. In two games for the Buffaloes last season, he completed 0-for-1 passing attempts and rushed twice for a net loss of 4 yards.
The Colorado Buffaloes were set to begin spring practice on Monday. Coach Deion Sanders expressed his grief on X, stating, "God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones. Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let's pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you're receiving a good 1."
Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion reposted Sanders' message and added, "Getting that call from his dad today didn't feel real. Love you Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our qb room!" Athletic director Fernando Lovo described Ponder as someone who "epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike." The athletic department announced counseling resources for players and staff.
Fellow quarterback Colton Allen paid tribute on Instagram: "Dom, you were a blessing to so many people. You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I'm grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I'll carry those with me for the rest of my life."
The Big 12 Conference extended its condolences via a post on X.
