Fate was merciless for the two pedestrians struck to death by a motorist suspected of having driven while impaired on New Year’s Eve in Montreal. One had abstained from driving precisely so he could have a toast, while the other was celebrating his 30the birthday.
• Read also: Fatal hit-and-run: two pedestrians killed in Montreal
• Read also: A woman loses her life in a road accident in Montérégie
• Read also: Teenager in critical condition after ATV accident
“We never know how much time we have left in this world,” says Spiro Ilias on the line, strangled by emotion.
His very good friend, Michael Chintakis, breathed his last after being hit on Boulevard Henri-Bourassa, near Boulevard de l’Acadie, around 1:20 a.m.
The suspect, Antoine Dubuc, was arrested after fleeing in the vehicle, then on foot.
The 23-year-old appeared in court on Monday and faces six counts of dangerous driving causing death, fatal hit-and-run and impaired driving causing death.
Unlike Dubuc, Michael Chintakis chose to walk rather than drive on this evening of celebration.
Scene of the collision, where the two pedestrians died.
Photo Agence QMI, Pascal Girard
Big heart
One of the 31-year-old’s last text messages was about the access code to his friend Spiro Ilias’ apartment, where a party was taking place. However, Michael Chintakis was never able to set foot there.
On the left, Spiro Ilias, with the late Michael Chintakis, on the right.
Photo taken from Facebook Spiro Orips
“He wanted to do the right thing. In a moment of cruel irony, he was killed by a drunk driver who then fled the scene,” laments Luciano Ciccone, who grew up with the victim.
His loved ones, still shaken, describe him as a person with a big heart.
“He always had a smile on his face. He had back problems for six years without stopping and the amount of energy and attention he gave to others was inconceivable,” illustrates Spiro Ilias, who wanted to honor the memory of Mr. Chintakis.
After church
Everything also indicates that he did not know the second victim in this case, Augustin Wesley Katimba. The latter, who was also in the wrong place at the wrong time, celebrated his 30th birthday on December 31.
He was returning from church when the collision occurred, according to Namibia’s ambassador to the United States, Margaret Mensah-Williams.
One of the two victims, Augustin Wesley Katimba.
Photo taken from Ambassador Margaret Mensah-Williams Facebook account
She mentioned it in a Facebook post, where she reported two deaths within the diaspora, the other of which occurred in Washington.
“We would like you to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and keep them in prayer during this hour of darkness,” she wrote, attaching photos of the victims.