Relatives of one of the two men killed in a suspected hit-and-run on New Year’s Eve in Montreal attended the accused’s appearance Monday, saying they wanted to ensure justice be returned.
Shortly after 1 a.m., on the night of the 1er January, Augustin Wesley Katimba, aged 30, and Michael Chintakis, aged 31, were fatally struck down by a car in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district.
Augustin Wesley Katimba, a native Namibian, was returning from church as Michael Chintakis was heading to a friend’s residence to celebrate the New Year.
The Montreal City Police Department indicated that Antoine Dubuc, aged 23, mowed down the two pedestrians at high speed before fleeing the scene, first in his vehicle then on foot.
On Monday at the Montreal courthouse, Mr. Chintakis’ cousin, Natacha Papadakis, told reporters that she wanted to be present in the courtroom to see the accused and get answers. A week after the alleged hit-and-run, Mr. Chintakis’ body had still not been returned to the family.
“We want to make sure that the justice system does not fail Michael,” Ms.me Papadakis. “We want some sort of assurance that things are being done the way they should be and that [l’accusé] gets what he deserves. »
Antoine Dubuc will remain detained until at least next month; he appeared briefly Monday by videoconference at the courthouse, where his trial was postponed until February 14.
He faces six charges, including dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop following an accident causing death and impaired driving causing death.
Dubuc’s lawyer told the court Monday he needed more evidence and blood test results before he was ready for his client’s bail hearing.
“Heavenly brothers”
Mr. Katimba, father of two young children aged one and four, celebrated his birthday on December 31, the day before his death. A “GoFundMe” crowdfunding campaign describes him as a devoted Christian and a man passionate about his nursing profession.
“He worked tirelessly during the COVID pandemic, putting his life on the line for his patients,” it read. Money from the campaign will be used to repatriate his body to Namibia and help cover travel expenses for his wife and children there.
“Wesley was a very humble and cheerful person, he left a good impression wherever he went, because he was a very humane person,” said his uncle, Boni Paulino, from Namibia via the WhatsApp application. “His family members and people in the community looked up to him. »
The Katimba family lived in Montreal, where his wife worked for the Civil Aviation Authority of Namibia within the International Civil Aviation Organization, based in Montreal.
The day before he died, he spoke to everyone in Namibia. “The conversations were filled with laughter and love,” Mr. Paulino said. He sent photos of the birthday cake he made himself and even joked about opening a bakery. »
Sunday evening, a candlelight vigil took place for MM. Katimba and Chintakis near the intersection where they were killed. Mme Papadakis told the courthouse on Monday that she had spoken with Mr. Katimba’s widow at that wake.
“I wanted to reassure her that Michael was a good person and that if they crossed the street together that night, [son cousin] would certainly have wished [à M. Katimba] a happy new year,” said Mme Papadakis, adding that she told him Mr Katimba would no doubt have done the same.
Michael Chintakis would have celebrated his 32nde birthday Sunday. An online fundraiser to pay for his funeral and memorial has exceeded its $20,000 goal.
On Monday, Mr Chintakis’ best friend Spiro Illias said any surplus would be donated to Mr Katimba’s family “so he can have a nice burial”.
“They are now two brothers in heaven and Mike wouldn’t want one more flower on his grave before [M. Katimba] not be buried. »