The body of Bhishma Rajyaguru, who died in a car crash that also claimed the life of Saskatchewan Roughrider player Jayden Dalke, is being prepared for repatriation to India. Funds collected through an online fundraiser are intended to cover the costs associated with returning Rajyaguru’s body to his home country and to support his parents in India.
Tonish Patel, a friend of Rajyaguru, confirmed that the funds raised via GoFundMe are sufficient for these purposes. Rajyaguru, who was 22, arrived in Canada in 2022 from the Indian state of Gujarat as an international student and resided in Regina.
Details of the Collision and Investigation
The fatal collision occurred on a Saturday night near Lumsden, northwest of Regina. Both Rajyaguru and Dalke, who was 30, died at the scene. The RCMP reported that both men were driving SUVs, and Dalke’s vehicle was on the wrong side of the divided highway when the crash took place. Alcohol and cannabis were subsequently found in the football player’s vehicle.
Approximately 30 minutes before the crash, a gas station in Lumsden had reported that Dalke’s SUV departed without paying for fuel. There were no passengers in either vehicle involved in the incident. Autopsies and toxicology tests are currently underway as part of the investigation. Patel indicated that Rajyaguru’s body cannot be transported to India until these tests are finalized, and a timeline for their completion was not available.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed his condolences in a social media post, acknowledging the loss of Rajyaguru and extending sympathy to his family and loved ones.
Tributes and Team Response
Jayden Dalke, originally from Leduc, Alta., was a linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 CFL draft after playing at the University of Alberta. Dalke played in 68 career regular-season games, including all 18 regular-season games for Saskatchewan last year. He was part of the Roughriders team that won the 2025 Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes last November.
Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day described Dalke as a beloved teammate, noting his positive impact on those around him and his passion for football. The team plans to hold a tribute for Dalke before their next home game, which is scheduled for Thursday against the Edmonton Elks. Players will wear Dalke’s initials on their helmets as a mark of respect.
Friends and community members are also remembering Rajyaguru. Patel recalled his friend as a talented musician and a polite, diligent individual who enjoyed watching cricket. The Gujarati Samaj of Saskatchewan, a charity group supporting Gujarati immigrants, shared a social media post expressing sadness over Rajyaguru’s death and offering condolences to his family. Patel also mentioned that Rajyaguru died on his father’s birthday and that friends in Regina intend to gather soon to commemorate his life.
Roughriders CEO Craig Reynolds stated that he learned about the details of the crash, including Dalke reportedly being on the wrong side of the highway with alcohol and cannabis in his vehicle, when the RCMP publicly released the information. He described the situation as an unfortunate tragedy. Roughriders head coach Corey Mace noted that the issue remains under investigation, emphasizing the emotional impact on many people.
During a practice session at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, black and white photographs of Dalke were displayed on screens. A bouquet of flowers was also observed at the stadium’s entrance. Linebacker Nick Wiebe shared that he had spoken with Dalke hours before the crash, with Dalke driving from Edmonton to Regina, and that they had exchanged expressions of affection during their last conversation.
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Source: globalnews.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
