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Family remembers avid cattle roper, one year after his death by hit and run

Posted at 10:21 PM, Jan 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-06 10:31:25-05

MARANA, Ariz. — "It's hard to swallow, still, knowing that there's a person out there that took my son's life and continues to live a normal life," Michelle Arbizo, mother of Dominic Romero, said.

One year ago, Sunday, Romero's family was ready to celebrate his 20th birthday.

Instead they received the news he was killed in a hit and run crash in Picture Rocks, since then they've sought answers.

"What really went down that night? When you were driving? Were you tired? Things happen and accidents do happen, just come forward," Robert Romero, Dominic's father, said.

On Sunday, family and friends came together in Marana for a roping event dedicated to Dominic's memory.

"Some people have been here since Friday working on the arena," Robert said.

"Just the amount of people that love Dominic. the amount of people he touched, it's really overwhelming."

After his death, Aribizo saw 'PJ,' Dominic's horse, as a way to connect with her late son.

"He's got a very nice horse and I didn't want it sitting in a corral wasting away," she said.

"In May, I took up team roping. That's where I feel him the most, I feel the closest to him. while I'm riding his horse and I'm in the arena gives me that connection to him."

Dominic may be gone, but his family says he's still here, especially at the arena

"The way I'm riding the horse, the way I'm sitting the saddle. I can hear him in my head: 'Dad, tighten up on the saddle. dad, pull up on the reigns, dad.'"