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Name of teen driver involved in Harrison Co. shootout released

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May 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa Department of Public Safety late Tuesday afternoon released the name of a teenaged driver involved in a shooting and chase in Harrison County. Officials say 17-year old Chauncy Jewett, of Sioux City, was the driver of a vehicle that sped away from Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer Derek Floerchinger, Monday afternoon.

The incident began at around 12:34-p.m., when Floerchinger located a vehicle parked along the side of I-29 south bound near mile marker 90 in Harrison County.  Officer Floerchinger stopped to conduct a motorist assist.  Officer Floerchinger made contact with the Jewett, who initially provided a false Iowa Driver’s License.  During questioning by Officer Floerchinger, the teen put the car in gear and sped away.  Officer Floerchinger then pursued the vehicle and called for assistance.  Several Agencies to include the Iowa State Patrol, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Valley Police Department responded.

During the pursuit the subject’s vehicle reached rates of speed exceeding 100MPH.  At these high rates of speed Officer Floerchinger observed Jewett leaning out the driver’s side window. At that point Officer Floerchinger heard a loud noise.  One bullet struck Officer Floerchinger’s marked unit.

Jewett retreated back into the car and the pursuit continued south bound to a rest area located at the 80 mile marker.  In the parking lot the teen lost control of his vehicle and struck a parked vehicle.  Jewett ran into a wooded area behind the rest area and was later taken into custody by officers from the Missouri Valley Police Department. A female passenger in the vehicle, 20-year old Sydney Swanson, of Sioux City, was also taken into custody by Motor Vehicle Enforcement officers.  Both subjects were transported to the hospital in Missouri Valley to be checked for injuries and then released to law enforcement.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was requested to conduct the shooting investigation. Jewett was subsequently charged with Attempted Murder, while Swanson was charged with Identity Theft and Interference with official acts.  The investigation is still ongoing and more charges are pending.