Ontario Provincial Police say a 63-year-old man from Arnprior has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing death after a 29-year-old man was found dead on a rural road Saturday morning.
Police say 29-year-old Christopher Walsh of McNab Township was struck by a vehicle on Russett Drive early Saturday morning. A newspaper delivery person spotted his body around 5:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016 and called police.
Murray Swaine, Walsh's stepfather, says his stepson will be remembered as an athlete, a family man and as a wonderful father to a four month old baby boy.
"He always liked to joke with people. He was always kidding," Swaine says.
"He was always building demolition derby cars. The first one he was in, I remember, he won the first one. He also really enjoyed hockey; he was a goalie," Swaine says.
Walsh had just moved back home to the Arnprior area to work for his stepfather's company after living out west for work.
Police say the suspect, who has not been named, was released and will appear in a Renfrew court on May 4. He is believed to be a local cab driver who may have been working at the time.
Officers with the Renfrew County OPP Detachment are spearheading the investigation along with forensic and collision investigators.
Tributes are already pouring in on social media with friends and family calling Walsh a "good friend" with a "big smile" and a "kind and caring person."
Walsh's mother, Diane Swaine, took to Facebook posting a tribute about her son. "I love you with all my heart," she wrote.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police. The investigation is ongoing.
