Saskatchewan Roughriders to honour Jayden Dalke car crash victim Bhishma Rajyaguru pre-game Thursday

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders plan to honour 22-year-old Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru on Thursday at Mosaic Stadium after he was killed in a car crash involving team captain Jayden Dalke.

The Riders released a statement on Tuesday evening:

We are profoundly saddened by the loss of 22-year-old Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru on Saturday.

In speaking with 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. A gifted percussionist with a deep love of music, Bhishma’s passion and presence left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those mourning his loss. We also hold in our thoughts everyone who is supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time.

We will honour Bhishma as part of our pregame ceremony on Thursday evening and are working with his family on the best way we can support them. We will share more information when it is available.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, on Saturday, July 18 at 9 p.m. Lumsden RCMP received a report about a two vehicle collision on Highway No. 11 near Regina. The initial investigation determied a silver SUV, driven by Dalke, collided with a black SUV, driven by Rajyaguru.

Dalke’s silver SUV was travelling northbound in the southbound lane when the crash occurred. Officers found alcohol and cannabis in the silver SUV. Autopsies and toxicology are to be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Lumsden Fire Department was dispatched to the crash at 9:01 p.m. Upon arrival, the fire fighters encountered one vehicle in the centre median and one in the southbound ditch. One male patient was pulled from the vehicle in the southbound ditch by bystanders, LFD members took over CPR from bystanders. That patient was later declared deceased on scene by emergency medical services. The other male patient was entrapped in the vehicle in the centre meridian and was declared deceased on scene by emergency medical services.

Rajyaguru’s friends and family have setup a GoFundMe campaign to help send him home to India.