A 42-year-old man was hit and killed by a vehicle Thursday evening while he was walking his dog in northeast Gainesville, according to the Gainesville Police Department.
The man was hit on Thursday about 5:45 p.m. on Northeast Seventh Street, according to GPD Sgt. Lynne Valdes. Valdes identified the driver of the vehicle as an 18-year-old Gainesville man.
When asked for more details, Valdes said there is a 60-day window on the release of crash fatality reports.
The victim, however, has been identified on social media as Matt Umanos, who is listed as the government affairs director for the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR).
“It is with a very heavy heart that I share that Matt Umanos was involved in a tragic accident. Matt brought joy, love, and kindness to all who knew him and was a beloved GACAR staff member for nearly 17 years,” wrote GACAR President Lisa Baltozer on Facebook. “As the Government Affairs Director, Matt helped shape policies that benefited many people and Gainesville is a better place because of his contributions. He will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.”
A candlelight vigil was held at Tom Petty Park on Friday evening in honor of Umanos and his dog, Elmyra, which also died.
Reports on social media that the driver involved in the incident also died in the crash have not been confirmed.
“To my knowledge, no,” Valdes said when asked if the driver had died.
When asked if the driver would face any charges, Valdes said, “It’s an open investigation.”
Umanos’ neighbor Candace Biggerstaff said that she had just arrived home with her wife, Marcelina Michel-Trapaga, when the crash occurred. Michel-Trapaga said she called 911 after hearing Biggerstaff scream for help.
“I started calling 911 even before I left the house,” Michel-Trapaga told The Sun on Monday.
Michele-Trapaga said Umanos was lying in a ditch, his shoes a few feet away. His dog’s leash was wrapped around a side mirror on the car. The crash happened on Northeast Seventh Street near Northeast 16th Avenue.
Nurses passing by stopped to administer CPR to Umanos after he was pulled out of the ditch by police officers, Michele-Trapaga said.
Meanwhile, the driver was stuck in his vehicle and emergency officials had to cut the roof off to free him.
Michele-Trapaga said Umanos was walking the dog with his brother when the crash occurred, and his brother was comforted by Biggerstaff until his mother made it to the house.
“Matt and Jerry were just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Michele-Trapaga said, adding that neighbors previously have confronted the driver about the way he drove in the neighborhood.
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Neighbors on the street have grown closer since the crash, she said.
“This tragedy has brought our community together like it has never been before,” Michele-Trapaga said.
Neighbors will help to cut bushes back that block visibility on the corner and will start “Matting,” which she said is saying hello to any and every person they encounter in the neighborhood, just like Umanos used to do.
The memory of Umanos will live on in the hearts of his neighbors because of his kindness and friendliness.
“He was just a very friendly guy,” said Sally Hall, who also lives on Northeast Seventh Street and would from time to time meet up with Umanos at the mailbox they shared.
Sam Welker said he met Umanos more than nine years ago while they both were walking their dogs.
“He never met a stranger,” Welker said.
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