Matt Umanos Obituary, Death – A 42-year-old man, identified as Matt Umanos, tragically lost his life along with his dog, Elmyra, after being hit by a vehicle while walking in northeast Gainesville on Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. on Northeast Seventh Street, as confirmed by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD). The driver of the vehicle involved was an 18-year-old Gainesville man, according to GPD Sgt. Lynne Valdes. Specific details about the crash are under investigation, with a 60-day window for the release of the official crash report.
Umanos, known as the government affairs director for the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR), was deeply respected in the community. GACAR President Lisa Baltozer expressed her sorrow on social media, highlighting Umanos’ contributions to local policies and the joy he brought to those around him. His nearly 17-year tenure with GACAR made him a beloved figure who left a significant impact on Gainesville’s community.
A candlelight vigil held at Tom Petty Park on Friday evening honored both Umanos and his dog, reflecting the community’s grief and support. There were unconfirmed reports on social media suggesting that the driver involved in the crash had also died, but Valdes clarified that this was not the case.
The investigation into the incident remains open, and it is unclear whether the driver will face any charges. Umanos’ neighbor, Candace Biggerstaff, and her wife, Marcelina Michel-Trapaga, were present at the scene when the crash occurred. Michel-Trapaga recounted the harrowing experience of calling 911 and witnessing Umanos lying in a ditch, with his dog’s leash tangled around the side mirror of the vehicle involved. Bystanders, including passing nurses, attempted CPR on Umanos after police pulled him from the ditch.
The driver was trapped in his vehicle and required emergency personnel to cut the roof off to free him. Umanos’ brother, who was walking with him at the time, was comforted by Biggerstaff until their mother arrived. Michel-Trapaga noted that neighbors had previously confronted the driver about his reckless driving in the neighborhood.
This tragic event has brought the local community closer, inspiring residents to take steps to improve safety in the area, such as trimming bushes that block visibility. Neighbors have also initiated a practice called “Matting,” where they greet everyone they encounter in the neighborhood, emulating Umanos’ friendly demeanor.
Umanos’ kindness and friendliness left a lasting impression on his neighbors. Sally Hall, who frequently met Umanos at their shared mailbox, remembered him as a very friendly person. Similarly, Sam Welker, who had known Umanos for over nine years through their mutual love of walking their dogs, described him as someone who never met a stranger.
The loss of Matt Umanos and his dog has resonated deeply within the Gainesville community, prompting both mourning and a renewed sense of unity. His memory lives on through the positive changes his neighbors are implementing and the fond recollections of those who knew him.