BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Roadside safety researchers say a deadly crash in Boulder County that killed a University of Colorado quarterback presents an important opportunity to study how electric vehicles interact with guardrails under real-world conditions.
Dominic Ponder, 23, died early Sunday after losing control of his Tesla on Baseline Road, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Investigators said the vehicle went through a guardrail and caught fire. Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene. CSP said speed was a factor in the crash, but have not released how fast the vehicle was traveling.
The crash is drawing national attention, not only because Ponder played quarterback for the Buffaloes, appearing in two games last season, but also because of ongoing research into whether existing guardrail systems are compatible with newer battery-powered electric vehicles…