Fate was merciless for the two pedestrians who were hit by a driver suspected of being impaired on New Year's Eve in Montreal. One had given up driving precisely because he wanted to toast, while the other was celebrating his 30th birthdaye Birthday.
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“We never know how much time we have left in this world,” says Spiro Ilias on the phone, choked with emotion.
His very good friend, Michael Chintakis, lost his last breath 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 and then on foot.
The 23-year-old appeared in court on Monday and faces six counts of dangerous driving causing death, hit-and-run causing death and hit-and-run causing death.
In contrast to Dubuc, Michael Chintakis decided to walk rather than drive that evening.
Scene of the collision in which the two pedestrians died. Photo agency 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 never managed to gain a foothold there.
Spiro Ilias on the left, the late Michael Chintakis on the right. Photo 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 shocked, describe him as a person with a big heart.
“He always had a smile on his face. He had back problems for six years straight and the amount of energy and attention he gave to others was unimaginable,” explains Spiro Ilias, who wanted to honor Mr. Chintakis’ memory.
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 31st.
According to Namibian Ambassador to the United States Margaret Mensah-Williams, he was returning from church when the clash occurred.
One of the two victims, Augustin Wesley Katimba. Photo from Ambassador Margaret Mensah-Williams' Facebook account
She mentioned it in a Facebook post reporting two deaths within the diaspora, the other of which occurred in Washington.
“We would like you to express our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and keep them in prayer in this hour of darkness,” she wrote, attaching photos of the victims.
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