Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder, 23, was killed early Sunday when the Tesla he was driving left Baseline Road in Boulder County, hit a guardrail and power pole, rolled down an embankment and caught fire, the Colorado State Patrol said.
Ponder’s death came as Colorado opened spring football practice Monday under coach Deion Sanders, a week that is normally a fresh start after winter training. Instead, players and coaches spent the day grieving, sharing memories and leaning on campus support. State troopers said they are still investigating what caused the wreck and have not released a final report.
The Colorado State Patrol said the crash happened around 3 a.m. Sunday on Baseline Road near Newland Court, on a stretch of road west of Boulder and near Baseline Reservoir. Troopers said Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 westbound when he lost control on a right hand curve. The car crossed the eastbound lane, hit a guardrail, broke through it and struck an electrical line pole. Troopers said the vehicle rolled down the embankment, came to rest on its wheels and caught fire. Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene, and troopers said he was the only person in the car.
Investigators said no other vehicles were involved and no one else was hurt. A preliminary review indicated that speed was suspected as a factor, but troopers said they are still working to confirm what happened in the moments before the crash. Officials have not publicly said whether Ponder was wearing a seat belt, whether alcohol or drugs were suspected, or whether a medical issue or distraction played a role. Troopers said a full investigation will follow. That process can include measurements of skid marks and damage, interviews and a review of any data available from the vehicle and the roadway.
State patrol officials also have not said when they expect their work to be finished, and they did not release details about weather and road conditions at the time of the crash. Crash investigations often include mapping the scene, photographing damage and reviewing any available video from nearby properties or traffic systems. Troopers can also request information from vehicle systems when it exists and when it can be retrieved after a wreck. Officials have not said whether the Tesla’s safety systems or onboard data will be part of the review. For now, the agency has released only a short summary while investigators continue gathering evidence.
Ponder was listed on Colorado’s roster at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, and he wore No. 22. He was a third year player from Opa-locka, Florida, who began his college career at Bethune-Cookman before transferring to Colorado in 2024. He did not appear in a game for the Buffaloes in 2024, but saw limited action in 2025. He took the final three snaps at quarterback in a home game against Arizona, went 0-for-1 passing and had two carries for a loss of four yards. The next week he played three snaps on a kickoff unit at West Virginia. Teammates said he stayed involved in meetings and practice even when he was not on the field on Saturdays.
Sanders confirmed Ponder’s death later Sunday and asked for prayers for his family and friends, calling him one of his favorites and a born leader. Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said in a statement that the athletics department was devastated. Lovo said Ponder “epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence” and was respected by teammates and coaches. The athletic department said counseling resources would be available to players and staff, and the school said Ponder’s family asked for privacy as the team and campus mourned.
On Monday, Sanders gave players the option to skip the first day of spring practice, but teammates said they decided together to take the field. Running back DeKalon Taylor said the group broke the huddle with a chant of “Dom,” and he said it felt like a jolt of energy. Players said they learned of the death at different times on Sunday, with some hearing the news after church and others later in the day. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion said he learned of it when Ponder’s father called him while Marion was playing with his own son. “I couldn’t move,” Marion said. “I was speechless talking to Dom’s dad.” Marion said the coaches dialed back their normal intensity and tried to keep practice focused on being together.
Marion said Ponder’s work habits stood out in a room shaped by competition and constant evaluation. He said Ponder was often in the quarterback room by 5:30 a.m. and had to be reminded to slow down. “In an era where you have to force people to work hard, you had to tell Dom to stop working so hard,” Marion said. He said Ponder’s energy was contagious and that younger players watched him carry himself with purpose even when he was not the starter. Teammates said he took reps wherever the staff needed him, from scout team work to special teams, and that he stayed supportive of others during a season filled with injuries and high expectations.
Players also shared small stories that showed how Ponder carried himself day to day. Defensive back Ben Finneseth said Ponder visited his family during spring break last year and stayed close to teammates who were rehabbing injuries. Finneseth said Ponder recently climbed a 10-foot fence at an apartment complex so a teammate could get into a hot tub area when he did not have a key. “Always there for teammates,” Finneseth said. “Whatever we needed.” Offensive lineman Yahya Attia said it still did not feel real. “It’s sad not being able to protect him off the field,” Attia said. “I still don’t really realize it. I don’t want to believe it yet.”
Tributes also spread beyond the practice field. Fellow quarterback Colton Allen wrote on social media that Ponder brought joy to the people around him and that he would carry their lifts, practices and conversations for the rest of his life. The Big 12 Conference issued a condolence message, and Colorado assistants reposted notes about his attitude and leadership. Several players said they were thinking about Ponder’s family as they tried to keep a routine in place. The team held an emergency meeting Sunday night to grieve together, and players described it as a space to cry, talk and lean on one another before the first practice of the spring.
Officials have not said when the state patrol expects to release its final findings, and no criminal allegations or citations were announced in the first days after the crash. Colorado State Patrol said it will continue to review evidence from the scene. The Boulder County coroner’s office typically handles death investigations and can order toxicology testing, though officials have not released those details. Colorado’s football program is expected to continue spring practices this week. Sanders was expected to address reporters Friday, and the Buffaloes are scheduled to hold their annual Black and Gold Day on April 11 at Folsom Field.
Ponder’s teammates said they want to carry his name with them through the spring and into the fall, even as they process grief in a sport built on routine. Defensive back RJ Johnson said the team’s focus is now tied to remembering him. “That’s what we have to do this season,” Johnson said. “Play for Dom.” For now, the questions about the crash remain with investigators, while Colorado’s locker room tries to fill an empty seat in meetings and on the practice field.