Authorities have identified the motorist who took Richfield police on a late-night chase until he crashed into a house and was killed.

Travis J. Rheineck, 30, of Brooklyn Park, died when the van he was speeding in veered off the road about 2:50 a.m. Sunday in the 7200 block of Bloomington Avenue S., according to the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.

Rheineck had many traffic convictions on his record in Minnesota, including three for drunken driving, five for speeding and four for not being properly licensed, according to state records.

Police said the pursuit was initiated after an officer saw the van hit a stop sign at 62nd Street and Bloomington Avenue and continue south. The officer trailed the van for about four blocks but backed off as Rheineck reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and ignored traffic lights.

The van first hit trees and then the house, throwing Rheineck from the vehicle, said a witness who lives across the street. No one else was hurt.

Paul Walsh