Michael Chintakis' relatives are devastated.
• Also read: A merciless fate for two pedestrians who were killed: one was celebrating his 30th birthday, the other had given up driving on New Year's Eve
• Also read: Fatal hit-and-run: Two pedestrians killed in Montreal
The 31-year-old man was fatally hit by a car on New Year's Eve.
His best friend told TVA Nouvelles that Michael decided not to drive that evening and walk to celebrate the New Year.
“He follows the rules and sees what happens to people who follow the rules,” he said at the courthouse.
On Monday, the victim's relatives waited impatiently for 23-year-old defendant Antoine Dubuc to return to court.
He faces six charges, including dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving causing death.
Around 1:20 a.m., Michael Chintakis and another pedestrian, Augustin Wesley Katimba, 30, were fatally struck by a car on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard. The driver fled the scene before eventually being arrested.
“He took the lives of two innocent people that day. “Two young men who made the right decision, who didn’t drink and drive,” said Natasha Papadakis, Michael Chintakis’ cousin.
“We lost someone who… He's an angel on earth. Now I know that she is my guardian angel… She is my daughter's guardian angel…” she continues sobbing.
“We’re burying my cousin before he turns 32,” she protested.
A fundraising campaign was launched to cover the funeral costs. Nearly $30,000 has been raised so far
The defendant, Antoine Dubuc, will return to court in February for a review of his release.