Matthew Schultz Obituary, Death: 13-year-old identified after fatal fall from trailer during Green Memorial Day parade

Matthew Schultz Obituary, Death – A tragic incident during a Memorial Day parade in Green, Ohio has left a community grieving after a 13-year-old boy lost his life in a devastating accident. The Summit County Medical Examiner has identified the young victim as Matthew Schultz, a resident of North Canton. The incident occurred late Monday morning, casting a somber shadow over what was intended to be a day of remembrance and unity.

According to official reports, the accident happened at around 11:30 a.m. during the city’s annual Memorial Day parade. Matthew was participating in the parade and was riding on a trailer when he fell off. Tragically, he was then struck by the trailer’s wheels. Emergency personnel quickly responded and transported him to Akron Children’s Hospital in an effort to save his life. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead from his injuries at 12:04 p.m., just a short time after the accident occurred.

Matthew was a student in the North Canton City School District. Valerie Wolford, communications manager for the city of Green, confirmed his enrollment and released a statement on behalf of the school district. “We are deeply saddened to have been informed of the passing of one of our North Canton City Schools students,” she said. “There is no greater tragedy than the death of a young person, and we offer our sincere condolences and support to the family.” The district has activated its crisis management team to provide emotional support and counseling to both students and staff as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.

In respect for the family’s privacy and due to the ongoing investigation led by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, further specific details about the incident have not yet been made public. Authorities are working to determine exactly how the accident occurred and whether any additional safety protocols might have been overlooked.

The Memorial Day parade had begun earlier that morning at 10 a.m., starting at Green High School and following a route through the community. Although the parade and the city’s official Memorial Day ceremony continued as scheduled, the mood among attendees shifted markedly once word of the tragedy began to circulate.

Senator Casey Weinstein, who had been invited to speak at the event, addressed the media afterward to share his thoughts and condolences. “It’s a solemn day and we were there as a community in Green,” said Weinstein. “This news was spreading at the time, and it was an incredibly tragic, sad thing.” He expressed deep sorrow over the incident, particularly as it occurred during an event meant to honor fallen heroes and bring the community together. “Especially when it’s part of a community coming together to honor and remember something so solemn, to have something so tragic happen—\[it was an] incredibly sad day for Green,” he added.

Senator Weinstein went on to extend his sympathies to Matthew’s family and to the entire community. “I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the family, to the city of Green. They’re an amazing community, incredibly proud to represent them, was honored to be there today, and just truly saddened this happened,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to support the community going forward.”

The parade continued after the incident, though speakers did not directly mention the tragedy during their formal remarks. The emotional weight of the situation, however, was clearly felt by those in attendance and across the region as news of the boy’s death began to spread.

While the community mourns the loss of Matthew Schultz, many are also reflecting on the importance of safety during public events, especially those involving children. The investigation by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office will be key in determining what led to the fatal accident and whether any measures could have been taken to prevent it.

In the meantime, North Canton City Schools have pledged ongoing support to Matthew’s classmates and teachers. Grief counselors and support teams are being made available to help young students and school staff process the tragedy and begin the healing process.

For now, the city of Green and surrounding areas are left to honor the memory of a bright young life cut short in the midst of a community gathering designed to remember others who have passed. While the Memorial Day parade is typically a time to reflect on the sacrifices of service members, this year it also became a moment to grieve a local loss and support a family enduring unimaginable pain.

As the investigation continues, more information is expected to be released. The community waits with heavy hearts, hoping for answers and resolution, but most importantly, offering their compassion and strength to those most affected by the loss of Matthew Schultz.