Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder killed in car crash

Ponder’s Tesla Model 3 hit a guardrail, a power line, and caught fire.

Colorado Buffaloes helmet
Dominiq Ponder FILE PHOTO: A Colorado Buffaloes helmet on the field during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Colorado Buffaloes on November 29, 2024 at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder was killed in a car crash on March 1. (Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A single-vehicle car crash killed Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder.

He was 23 years old.

The Athletic said the crash happened on the morning of March 1 when Ponder lost control of his Tesla Model 3 in Boulder, Colorado.

The car went into the eastbound lane, hit a guardrail, hit a power line and caught fire once it landed upright at the bottom of an embankment, police said.

The football player was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only person in the car, The Associated Press reported.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but Colorado State Patrol said speed may have been a factor, The Athletic reported.

Pounder attended Carol City High in Miami Gardens, Florida, before attending Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina, The Athletic said.

Pounder started his college career at Bethune-Cookman but spent the past two seasons as the fourth-string quarterback at Colorado.

He was a junior walk-on and had been participating in offseason workouts with the Buffaloes. Spring practices were scheduled to start on March 2, the Daily Camera reported.

Head coach Deion Sanders wrote on X, “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. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”

Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion wrote on X, “Getting that call from his dad today didn’t feel real.”

Athletic director Fernando Lovo released a statement, which read, “The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder,” adding, “He epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike. Our hearts go out to his family and all of his teammates during this difficult time.”

Counselors are being made available to teammates and staff, according to the Daily Camera.

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