Dominiq Ponder’s mother, Catrina Hughes, gave a heartbreaking update in a statement about her late son, a former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback who died in a fiery car crash in March.

“What matters most to me is who Dominiq was as a person,” Hughes said in a statement.

“He was a determined student-athlete, a leader, and someone with a huge heart who fiercely loved his family, his teammates, and the game of football.”

Hughes said she will be promoting good decision-making among young adults in her son’s memory, as the Boulder County Coroner revealed in a report that he had a blood alcohol level two times the legal limit at the time of the accident.

“If anything good can come from this loss, it’s the conversations it can start about responsible decision-making, supporting young adults, and making good choices even in ordinary moments,” she said.

Ponder, who died at the age of 23, played for Bethune-Cookman University in 2023 and transferred to Colorado, attempting just one pass in 2025.

His cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries from the accident.

“One bad decision can alter everything. Odds are that 95% of the population has made the same decision, but got lucky, and most would never admit to it,” Hughes continued in her statement.

Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death: Colorado QB’s sudden death at 23 leaves the NFL world stunned

Colorado football faced a painful moment on March 1, 2026. QB Dominiq Ponder died in a tragic car crash at just 23. HC Deion Sanders confirmed the news later that evening, sending shockwaves through the college football community.As tributes poured in, one detail became central to the story. Fans and teammates wanted clarity about Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death. Authorities released those answers Sunday night, turning grief into a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.

Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death confirmed after a fatal single-car crash in Colorado

Per reports, Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death was a single-vehicle accident early Sunday morning, March 1, 2026. According to a Colorado State Patrol press release issued later that day, Ponder lost control of the Tesla Model 3 he was driving. The vehicle struck a guardrail, hit an electrical line pole, and then rolled down an embankment. The car later caught fire. Officials confirmed he died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.Ponder had spent the past two seasons as a walk-on quarterback with the Colorado Buffaloes. He appeared in two games during the 2024 season, logging two rush attempts and one pass attempt. His on-field opportunities were limited, but teammates often spoke about his energy during practice.HC. Deion Sanders reacted publicly on March 1, 2026, through a post on X. “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,” Sanders wrote on his official account Sunday evening. His message reflected the bond inside the locker room.Fellow QB Colton Allen also wrote his heartfelt note, “Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “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.”One fan wrote, “This is heartbreaking 💔.” Another said, “Praying for everyone, my brother!!!! So heartbreaking!!!!”Before transferring to Colorado, Ponder played at Bethune-Cookman. He attended Miami Carol City and Naples High School in Florida, then Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina. His career showed persistence. He kept working, kept transferring, and kept chasing a chance to prove himself.Spring practice in Boulder was scheduled to begin March 2, 2026. Instead, the program entered the week in mourning. Dominiq Ponders’ sudden demise now stands as a tragic footnote to a young career that teammates say still held promise.