“Augustin Wesley Katimba and Michael Chintakis: Victims of Fatal Hit-and-Run in Montreal Identified | SEO-optimized Title”

Accident – death – Obituary News :

Namibian Man Returning from Church and Partygoer Identified as Victims of Fatal Hit-and-Run in Montreal

MONTREAL — The victims of a New Year’s Day fatal hit-and-run in Montreal have been identified as Augustin Wesley Katimba, 30, and Michael Chintakis, 31, according to court documents. The tragic incident occurred when a Namibian man was returning home from church, while another man was heading to a friend’s party.

Antoine Dubuc, 23, is now facing six charges, which include dangerous driving causing death, fleeing the scene of a deadly collision, and impaired driving causing death.

The Montreal police revealed that the suspect allegedly struck the two pedestrians at high speed before fleeing the scene, first in his vehicle and then on foot. Antoine Dubuc was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, but the hearing was postponed until Monday.

The Namibian diaspora suffered a great loss, as Katimba was a member of their community. Namibia’s ambassador to the United States, Margaret Mensah-Williams, confirmed his identity in a heartfelt Facebook post. She mentioned that Katimba had just celebrated his birthday on December 31 and was returning home from church when the tragedy struck. The news of his death has caused immense grief among his friends and family in Namibia.

In Montreal, friends of Michael Chintakis expressed their profound sadness over his sudden demise. Chintakis was on his way to a party at his friend Spiros Ilias’s house when the accident occurred. He had even messaged Ilias moments before, asking for the entry code to his building.

Ilias narrated the heart-wrenching moment when he learned about Chintakis’s death. He tried calling him 20 minutes later but received no response. It was a friend who had just left the party who called Ilias and informed him about the two bodies lying on the street. When Ilias went out, he recognized Chintakis’s jacket under an orange police tarp.

“It’s a complete tragedy,” Ilias said in a tearful interview. He described Chintakis as an inspirational, passionate individual who lit up every room he entered. The two had been friends since Grade 3. Chintakis would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on January 14.

Another close friend, Casey Fragoulis, emphasized Chintakis’s kind-hearted nature. She mentioned that he loved everyone, regardless of their imperfections, and always saw the good in people. “He walked into a room, and you just felt instant safety,” Fragoulis said. She now takes care of Chintakis’s beloved dog, Cashew, as a way to remember him.

Ilias and their mutual friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses and create a memorial space in honor of Chintakis. The fundraising post urges people to cherish their loved ones while they are still alive, emphasizing the impact that Michael had on their lives.

This report was first published on January 3, 2024, by The Canadian Press.

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