Judge sets bond conditions for EPPD officer accused in deadly hit & run

The El Paso police officer accused in a deadly hit-and-run on New Year’s day, appeared before a judge Thursday morning.

Roberto Garcia is charged with accident involving death and tampering with evidence. Garcia has pleaded not guilty and is currently out on a $75,000 bond.

During the hearing Thursday, Judge Gonzalo Garcia set the conditions of Garcia’s bond.

Garcia will have a curfew, will not be able to leave El Paso County without permission and will have to submit a drug test.

The judge also asked Garcia if he had any family living in Mexico and Garcia responded that he did not. The police officer said the only family he has living outside of El Paso are relatives in Dallas.

On New Year’s Day of 2018, 37-year-old Eduardo Vasquez was hit and killed by the driver of a car on I-10 in Vinton. Authorities described the vehicle that hit Vasquez as a red 2014 Hyundai Elantra.

The vehicle was found shortly thereafter with evidence linking it to the deadly hit-and-run and allegedly to Garcia as well.

Garcia is an 18-year veteran with the El Paso Police Department. The El Paso Police Department relieved Garcia of duty after being told about the arrest warrant, but Garcia was not fired.

An El Paso Police Spokesman told ABC-7 that Garcia was merely stripped of his peace officer status until the case is settled.

Garcia’s trial is set to begin on April 19, 2019.