An El Paso Police Department officer was arrested months after he allegedly struck a pedestrian on Interstate 10 West and fled the scene, authorities said.

Roberto Garcia was arrested Wednesday after an investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office revealed that he was responsible for the fatal wreck in far East El Paso County and had tampered with evidence related to the investigation, sheriff’s officials said.

More:Pedestrian killed after being struck on I-10 near Vinton Monday

El Paso Police Department officials confirmed that Garcia is an officer with the department.

Garcia has been relieved of duty, but remains with the department, police spokesman Sgt. Enrique Carrillo said. Garcia has been with the department for 18 years and was assigned to patrol at the Westside Regional Command.

The wreck occurred at about 9:45 a.m. Jan. 1 on Interstate 10 West near Vinton, sheriff’s officials said.

Garcia was allegedly driving a red Hyundai Elantra when he struck Eduardo Vasquez, 37, who was walking on the shoulder of the highway, sheriff’s officials said.

Garcia then fled, officials say.

Vasquez died at the scene due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.

More:Sheriff's ID man killed in West El Paso hit-and-run wreck

Sheriff’s deputies were able to determine that a red Hyundai Elantra was the vehicle involved in the crash from evidence at the scene.

Deputies asked for the public’s help in locating the vehicle and driver, which led them to a vehicle matching the description at a local body shop, officials said.

Further investigation revealed that Garcia allegedly was driving on the highway Jan. 1 in a 2014 Hyundai Elantra when he hit the victim and fled, officials said.

Garcia also is accused of tampering with evidence related to the crash, officials said.

More:Girl, 13, dies after hit-and-run in Upper Valley; El Paso police have suspect

He was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of causing an accident involving death and tampering with evidence.

Garcia was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a bond totaling $75,000.

According to jail records, he posted bail the same day he was arrested.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.