AUSTIN — A lawsuit filed against the City of Austin claims that a police officer mistook a man for a murder suspect in 2016 and accidentally rammed his car into his, causing injuries.
In December 2016, Mosses Augustine Howell, 19, was accused of murdering a 26-year-old man during an alleged drug deal.
As police officers were searching for Howell, the lawsuit states that officers mistakenly identified a different man's car for Howell's. The lawsuit said officers were trying to trap his vehicle so he couldn't drive away. One officer "failed to control his speed" and unintentionally hit the plaintiff's car, the lawsuit said.
When his car was hit, the man who filed the lawsuit said his head hit his steering wheel, causing him severe injuries and damages.
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 6, stated that after the collision, officers realized he was not the suspect and let him go.
The plaintiff is seeking between $100,000 and $500,000.
KVUE reached out to the city. Representatives said they have not received the lawsuit.