Chet Walker wants everyone to know that his son, Austin “Auzi” Messett Walker, was a kind-hearted individual who is deeply missed. “I just want everyone to know how big of a heart he had, and how he loved everybody, especially his family,” Chet said.
Austin was the 25-year-old victim of a tragic hit-and-run accident that occurred on Warman Road near the Circle Drive overpass in Saskatoon on June 22.
Auzi had a close relationship with his younger brother, sister, baby nephew, and a niece who had just learned to say “uncle.” His brother sent him his last text message about three minutes before Auzi was struck while riding one of the city’s shared electric scooters home from a night out watching playoff hockey.
According to Chet, Auzi started out riding with friends, but they eventually parted ways, leaving him to travel home alone. The police found him on the roadway, and the driver of the car that hit him had fled the scene, as indicated by the charges faced by the driver.
Chet recounted the heartbreaking moment when he learned of his son's death. He heard his wife call his name from another room and thought one of their grandkids had fallen, only to be informed by a police officer that Auzi had been killed by an alleged drunk driver.
“It’s crazy. We’re a very, very close family. He’s my son but he’s also my best friend,” Chet said, breaking down in tears. Auzi was an exceptional athlete and a successful salesman.
He grew up in Dalmeny and moved to Saskatoon after graduation, taking a year of commerce at the University of Saskatchewan before becoming an inside sales representative at Wajax, a Canadian industrial product provider. “Everybody kept telling (the company), ‘You gotta go get this guy.’ He’s that good,” Chet said.
Chet coached his son in competitive baseball and hockey for 15 to 16 years. Auzi played AA hockey in Warman and Martensville, Junior B with the Saskatoon Westleys, and senior hockey back home before work became his focus.
He was considering playing again this winter. Auzi was also an avid fisherman, enjoying annual trips with friends to Tobin Lake and spending weekends at the family cabin at Weyakwin Lake.
Chet talked to his son every day, often about hockey. Auzi was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. His hockey skates, helmet, gloves, and jersey will be displayed at the front of the church during his funeral service at Circle Drive Alliance Church. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite team jerseys, and the service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
“If something good happened at work or in his life, he would always come straight to my office and had to tell me in person. So that’s what I’m going to miss. I’m going to miss everything,” Chet said. Auzi lived with two roommates on Russell Road in the city’s north end. Chet is dreading the task of clearing out his son’s belongings.
For the past week and a half, the family has focused on celebrating Auzi’s life. Chet plans to attend the court appearance of the driver accused in his son’s death.
Wade Scott Chaboyer, 38, is charged with leaving the scene of a collision, impaired driving, and driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit causing death. He was released on conditions and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on July 17.
“I want my son’s name to be out there. I want (the accused) to know what we’re going through, what he’s done to my family, and what he’s done to my son,” Chet said. “We’re destroyed. Part of us died that day, too.”
In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations for a legacy fund at auzimemorial@gmail.com.
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