Details Emerge in Fatal Collision
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have released further details regarding a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 near Lumsden, which resulted in the deaths of Saskatchewan Roughriders player Jayden Dalke and Bhishma Rajyaguru. According to authorities, Dalke was driving on the wrong side of the divided highway, and alcohol and cannabis were found in his SUV. The collision occurred on Saturday, northwest of Regina, at approximately 9 p.m.
A report was received by the RCMP around 8:27 p.m. from a business in Lumsden concerning a silver SUV that left without paying for fuel. This vehicle was later identified as the same silver SUV involved in the collision. Despite this, RCMP stated there were no prior reports of Dalke’s SUV being driven erratically before the crash itself. The Lumsden fire department, which responded to the scene, found one vehicle in the median and the other in a ditch. Motorists had stopped to attempt to revive one of the individuals involved. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
Jayden Dalke, 30, from Leduc, Alta., and Bhishma Rajyaguru, 22, from Regina, both died at the scene. Autopsies and toxicology tests are being conducted as part of the ongoing investigation. RCMP spokeswoman Mandy Maier confirmed that the silver SUV, driven by Dalke, was northbound in the southbound lane when the collision occurred. Maier also noted that no drugs or alcohol were found in Rajyaguru’s vehicle.
Community Mourns Losses
The deaths have deeply affected both the football community and the local community. Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day expressed the team’s sorrow, stating that Dalke was a loved teammate who enjoyed football and his teammates. O’Day highlighted Dalke’s character, noting that conversations with him always left people feeling happy. Roughriders president Craig Reynolds called the incident a “terrible tragedy” and extended condolences to both families. Reynolds emphasized that the details of the investigation do not diminish the club’s mourning for a valued member of their organization.
Jayden Dalke was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 CFL draft out of the University of Alberta. He appeared in 68 career regular-season games, including all 18 regular-season games for Saskatchewan last year. He recorded 69 defensive tackles, 31 special-teams tackles, three forced fumbles, an interception, and a sack. Dalke was part of the Roughriders team that won the 2025 Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg, wearing No. 38. His teammates, including quarterback Tommy Stevens, shared their grief, with Stevens describing Dalke as a best teammate and friend.
Bhishma Rajyaguru, who came to Canada from the Indian state of Gujarat as an international student in 2022, was remembered by his friend Tonish Patel as a talented musician and a polite, thankful, and helpful person. Patel mentioned that Rajyaguru’s friends in Regina are raising money to send his body home to India, as his parents are there. The Gujarati Samaj of Saskatchewan, a charity group for Gujarati immigrants, also expressed sadness over Rajyaguru’s death in a social media post, offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
A GoFundMe campaign created in Rajyaguru’s name described him as “a beautiful soul, a best friend, and a beacon of light” who died in a “senseless tragedy.” The campaign highlighted his role as a responsible son, an honest friend, and a passionate musician, noting that to know him was to know kindness, loyalty, and an infectious love for life. The funds raised are intended to help cover the costs of transporting his body back to India. Rajyaguru’s death occurred on his father’s birthday.
Ongoing Investigation and Team Response
The Lumsden RCMP and a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist are continuing their investigation into the fatal collision. There is currently no confirmed timeline for the release of the toxicology or reconstruction reports. The Roughriders cancelled their Sunday morning practice, which was scheduled after a CFL bye week. The team had defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-7 on July 12 and is slated to host the Edmonton Elks on Thursday. A moment of silence was held in Dalke’s honour before Sunday’s game between the Redblacks and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Ottawa.
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Source: tsn.ca
