INDEPENDENCE - A Buchanan County sheriff's deputy is home recovering from injuries he suffered late Wednesday night while involved in a high-speed chase.

Joseph Schwinghammer, 42, was air-lifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics about 9:55 p.m. Sheriff Bill Wolfgram said he was released Thursday.

Schwinghammer's squad car ran off the road at a T-intersection and went into a ditch, according to the Iowa State Patrol. He was wearing a seat belt at the time.

The accident happened at the intersection of 200th and Keokuk streets. Both are gravel at that point, which contributed to the incident, Wolfgram said.

Independence police are looking for Tracy Hackert, 39, of Jesup, who authorities identified as the driver being pursued.

The incident developed about 9:30 p.m. in Independence when police officers responded to a report of an assault at 1100 David Drive S.W. The house is owned by Anthony Hackert, according to property records.

Tracy Hackert fled the house in a black 1990 Jeep Cherokee. An officer attempted to pull Hackert over near Bland Boulevard in Independence, but Hackert sped off, according the police department.

Schwinghammer and other law enforcement officers were called to assist. The pursuit lasted about 19 minutes before Schwinghammer's accident, according to Independence police.

Law enforcement officials have requested warrants against Tracy Hackert for felony eluding police, two counts of assault on peace officers with a dangerous weapon, assault causing bodily injury and simple assault. Hackert also faces 19 separate traffic citations.

Hackert has a long legal history that includes second-degree arson convictions in 1994 and 2003; second-degree theft convictions in 2002 and 2003; and third-degree burglary convictions in 1998 and 2003.

Contact Josh Nelson

at (319) 291-1565

or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.