CENTERTON (KFSM)- The wife of a man who died Tuesday (March 17) after he was hit by a vehicle in Bentonville said he was an Army National Guard veteran and dedicated father.
Aron Nathanial Romero, 33, of Centerton died at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville after he rear-ended a stopped vehicle on a motorcycle and was then hit by another vehicle when he was thrown into the road, according to police. The accident happened at Regional Airport Boulevard and Sunbrooke Street just before 7 a.m., police said. The driver in the hit-and-run has been identified, and her vehicle has been found, according to police.
Romero's wife of seven years, Veronica Romero, said he was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and soldier, who dedicated his life to his loved ones and his country.
"The world is now a dimmer, less joyful place without him in it," she said.
Romero was a member of the Army National Guard 142nd Fires Brigade for 12 years and is a former Northwest Arkansas Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, according to his wife. He also served in Iraq.
Romero was also an active and loving father to his three daughters, Elena, 2, Raven, 7, and Julia, 11, his wife said.
Besides working in the CMI division of Walmart, Romero's wife said he was in the early stages of trying to establish an American Legion post in his hometown of Centerton.
“I believe it was a dream of Aron`s to [form an American Legion Post in Centerton,]" said Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards. "And, I`m sure his family would like us to carry his dream on for him."
The Commander of American Legion Post 77 in Bentonville said he would consider creating one post for the two cities, in Romero's honor.
"My purpose now is to get in touch with those people in Centerton, and combine our efforts for the people of Bentonville and Centerton, because we can form a very viable post here," said Commander Raymond Brust.
A GoFundMe site has been set up in Romero's name to raise money for funeral expenses and other needs.