Civil Liberties

Man Sues Over Injuries Sustained During Misfired SWAT Raid

Collateral damage in the war against the Constitution

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Driving in the early morning hours to his job at a metal shop in Buda, Miguel Montanez at first thought the approaching lights were a school bus or a tow truck.

But Montanez says it was a Hays County SWAT truck that rammed his car head-on. As they collided, another police vehicle pinned him from behind, he says.

He heard a shot.

"I saw my windshield crack, and I ducked down as low as possible," Montanez said. "I really thought I was going to die."

Seconds later, he says, three deputies were pointing assault rifles at him. "That's when I heard one of the officers say, 'Oh, (expletive), we got the wrong guy,' " Montanez said.