Colorado sophomore quarterback Dominiq Ponder, 23, died in a car crash with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.167 g/100 mL-double the legal limit.
Ponder lost control of his 2023 Tesla around 3 a.m., veering off the road and striking a guardrail and electrical pole. His cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.
His mother, Catrina Hughes, emphasized the importance of responsible decision-making and launched the Dominiq Ponder 722 Foundation in his honor. The organization supports student-athlete scholarships, community awareness, and children’s hospitals.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders delivered an emotional eulogy at Ponder’s funeral. Ponder, a walk-on quarterback, played two games in his debut season under Sanders.