Canadian Football League linebacker Jayden Dalke has died at age 30 after being involved in a wrong-way car accident, a news release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed.
Dalke, who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was driving the wrong way on the highway before the crash, which occurred on Saturday, July 18. Alcohol and cannabis were both found in his car, according to the release.
The accident also killed another driver, identified as 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the tragic news of Jayden’s passing,” the CFL said in a statement on Monday, July 20. “He was a passionate competitor who played with incredible heart. Off the field, he will be remembered for his leadership in the locker room and his dedication to the community.”
The statement continued, “The CFL has lost a teammate, a Canadian brother and a friend. On behalf of the Board of Governors, our CFL family and the entire Canadian football community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Jayden’s family, friends, the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization and all those whose lives were bettered through knowing him.”
RCMP spokeswoman Mandy Maier asked the public for compassion as the victims’ families process their loss.
“There’s a lot of people who are hurting right now,” she said during a press conference on Monday. “There are two people deceased. This is extremely tragic.”
She added that there was no further information available about what was found in Dalke’s car and that because there were no survivors of the crash, “we may never know the answers to many of the questions we all have.”
Maier revealed that the RCMP did not receive a report the night of the crash of a vehicle driving the wrong way on the highway, but it did learn of a silver SUV having left a nearby gas station without paying for fuel. That SUV was later determined to belong to Dalke.
The Roughriders, who are the defending CFL champions, said Dalke was returning to the team after spending a bye week at his home in Leduc, Alberta.
“A relentless warrior on the field, Jayden’s determination, toughness and work ethic inspired his teammates, who cared deeply for him and are heartbroken by his passing,” the team wrote in a statement. “On and off the field, he was the true definition of what it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider.”
The statement continued, “Our hearts go out to the entire Dalke family, who travelled the country to watch Jayden live his dream. We will miss him terribly and will never forget the impact he had on our lives and our team.”
