Bethune-Cookman's Jimmie Robinson III (6) takes a handoff from QB Dominiq Ponder during the Wildcats' spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium.

Bethune 8

Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder’s BAC double legal limit in fatal wreck

An autopsy report released Tuesday revealed Dominiq Ponder had a blood alcohol limit more than twice the legal limit when he lost control of his 2023 Tesla and struck a utility pole in a fatal accident on March 1.

The details released by the Boulder County Coroner’s office showed Ponder, a 23-year-old who played two games as a quarterback at Colorado in 2025, had a blood alcohol level of .167. The legal limit in Colorado is .08.

A Florida native who transferred from Bethune-Cookman, Ponder’s family said the Dominiq Ponder 7/22 Foundation was established to “provide support to student-athletes, children’s hospitals and families dealing with medical challenges, and assist with responsible decision-making.”

Ponder died from “multiple blunt force injuries,” the report said. His vehicle slid down an embankment after striking the electric pole and responders pronounced Ponder dead at the scene of the accident.

State police in Colorado said an investigation into additional details of the accident, including whether Ponder was distract, the speed he was traveling at the time, other factors causing impairment, was not yet complete.

–Field Level Media

Naples High's Dominiq Ponder looks to throw the ball during the FBU Freshman All-American football game at Gulf Coast High School in Naples, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018.

FBU Freshman All-American Bowl

Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder, 23, dies in car accident

Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died Sunday, head coach Deion Sanders said in a social media post. Ponder was 23.

Per reports from DNVR Buffs and FOX 31, Ponder was confirmed to be the driver of a 2023 Tesla that was involved in a single-car crash around 3 a.m. Sunday in Boulder County.

“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,” Sanders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “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.”

One of Ponder’s teammates in the quarterback room, Colton Allen, also responded to the news in a social media post.

“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “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. What happened feels so final. It feels heavy. It hurts.”

Ponder was entering his third year in Boulder after redshirting at Bethune-Cookman in 2023 and transferring to Colorado. He saw his first game action in 2025, getting into two games as a reserve with one pass attempt and two carries.

The native of Opa Locka, Fla., would have been a candidate to move up Colorado’s depth chart in 2026. His death comes the day before Colorado was scheduled to start spring football practices.

–Field Level Media