Alcohol and cannabis were discovered in the SUV driven by Saskatchewan Roughriders player Jayden Dalke, who was involved in a fatal head-on collision on a divided highway. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, resulted in the deaths of Dalke and another driver. Authorities confirmed that Dalke’s vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 11 between Lumsden and Regina when the crash took place.
RCMP spokesperson Mandy Maier stated that the initial investigation determined a silver SUV, driven by Dalke, collided with a black SUV. The silver SUV was reportedly travelling northbound in the southbound lane. The other driver, identified as Bhishma Rajyaguru, a 22-year-old from Regina, also died at the scene. Autopsies and toxicology reports have been ordered as part of the ongoing investigation, though the timeline for these results is uncertain.
Details of the Incident
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. on Saturday. Prior to the crash, at approximately 8:27 p.m., RCMP received a report that Dalke’s silver SUV had left a business in Lumsden without paying for fuel. This vehicle was later confirmed to be the same one involved in the fatal incident. Despite the wrong-way driving, RCMP indicated there were no prior reports of Dalke’s SUV driving erratically before the collision.
Lumsden’s fire department was called to the scene, finding one vehicle in the median and the other in a ditch. Motorists attempted to assist one of the individuals involved. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The discovery of alcohol and cannabis in Dalke’s SUV was noted by officers, though the quantities or whether containers were open were not specified.
Team’s Reaction and Tribute
Jeremy O’Day, the Roughriders’ general manager, spoke about Dalke, remembering him as a positive influence on the team. O’Day mentioned that Dalke was always smiling and loved football and his teammates. Dalke, a 30-year-old linebacker, was born in Leduc, Alberta, and had played for the Edmonton Huskies and University of Alberta Golden Bears before being drafted into the CFL.
Dalke was part of the Roughriders’ 2025 championship team that won the Grey Cup against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg. His teammates were informed of his passing by head coach Corey Mace. The team has decided to proceed with their scheduled games, viewing it as part of the grieving process and an opportunity for players to be together and celebrate Dalke’s life.
To honour Dalke, the team plans a tribute before their next game, with players wearing his initials on their helmets. Roughriders CEO Craig Reynolds expressed sorrow for both victims, stating that he learned about the details of the crash, including the presence of drugs and alcohol and Dalke driving on the wrong side of the highway, when RCMP released the information to the public. Head coach Corey Mace noted that the investigation is ongoing and that there are many emotions among the team.
Impact on the Community
The death of Bhishma Rajyaguru has also deeply affected his community. Friends of Rajyaguru, who came to Canada from Gujarat, India, as an international student in 2022, described him as a talented musician and a polite, helpful person. Friends are raising funds to send his body home to India. Rajyaguru’s friend, Tonish Patel, noted that Rajyaguru died on his father’s birthday. The Gujarati Samaj of Saskatchewan, a charity group, expressed sadness and offered condolences to Rajyaguru’s family and loved ones.
Dalke appeared in 68 career regular-season games, including all 18 regular-season games for Saskatchewan in 2025, as well as the West final and the Grey Cup win. Linebacker Nick Wiebe, who spoke with Dalke hours before the crash, mentioned that Dalke was driving from Edmonton to Regina at the time.
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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.”
