Riders will honor crash victim Bhishma Rajyaguru

REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders will honor accident victim Bhishma Rajyaguru before their game Thursday night against the Edmonton Elks.

Rajyaguru, 22, was killed Saturday night when the car he was driving collided with a vehicle driven by Roughriders linebacker Jayden Dalke on Highway 11 near Lumsden, northwest of Regina.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of 22-year-old Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru on Saturday,” the Riders said in a statement Tuesday night. “We will honor Bhishma as part of our pre-match ceremony on Thursday evening and are working with his family to support them as best we can.

“We will share more information as it becomes available.”

RCMP said Monday that Dalke, 30, of Leduc, Alta., was driving on the wrong side of a highway, with alcohol and cannabis in his SUV when his vehicle crashed into another, killing himself and Rajyaguru. There were no passengers in the vehicles.

RCMP also said autopsies and toxicology tests will be done during the investigation. They added that before the crash, Dalke’s SUV left a gas station with unpaid fuel.

“Talking to one of Bhishma’s loved ones, he shared with us that he was a caring friend, a devoted son, a supportive brother and someone who was always there for the people in his life,” the CFL club said. “A gifted percussionist with a deep love for music, Bhishma’s passion and presence left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who mourn his loss. We also keep in our thoughts all those who are supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time.”

Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day has already said the team plans to hold a tribute to Dalke before Thursday’s game.

Dalke helped the Riders win the 2025 Gray Cup over the Montreal Alouettes in November.

Players should wear Dalke’s initials on their helmets Thursday, O’Day said.

An online fundraiser for Rajyaguru has raised about $80,000.

Tonish Patel said the funds raised through GoFundMe for his friend are more than enough to cover the cost of repatriating the body to India.

Patel said the money will also help Rajyaguru’s parents in India as they navigate the loss of their son. Rajyaguru came to Canada from the Indian state of Gujarat as an international student in 2022 and had been living in Regina.

Patel said he remembers his friend as a talented musician and a kind, hard-working man who loved watching cricket.

He added that Rajyaguru’s body cannot be transported to India until post-mortems and tests are completed, and he did not know when that might happen.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a social media post Tuesday, his heart remains heavy. “We mourn the loss of 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru, whose life was taken too soon,” Moe said. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones as they work through their grief.”

Saskatchewan selected Dalke in the sixth round of the 2022 CFL draft out of the University of Alberta. The 6-foot, 200-pound Dalke appeared in 68 career regular-season games, recording 69 tackles, 31 special teams tackles, three forced fumbles, an interception and a sack.

Dalke appeared in all 18 regular-season games for Saskatchewan in 2025, as well as in the West final and the club’s 25-17 Gray Cup win over the Alouettes.

The Roughriders were on a bye week at the time of the accident.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 21, 2026.

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