An autopsy report has revealed that Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder's blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit at the time of his fatal car crash on March 1.
Ponder was driving a Tesla in Boulder County around 3 a.m. when he lost control on a curve, crossed into the opposite lane, struck a guardrail and an electrical pole, and then rolled down an embankment. The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
His BAC was measured at 0.167%, while Colorado's legal limit is 0.08%.
Ponder's mother, Catrina Hughes, expressed hope that his death could become a teaching moment about responsible decision-making and the importance of friends intervening to prevent tragedy.
A Florida native, Ponder was preparing for his third season with the Colorado Buffaloes in 2026 after previous stints at Bethune-Cookman and Georgia Tech.