The motorist who died in a late-night chase with police in Columbia Heights, culminating in him being thrown from the stolen vehicle into a lake, was identified Wednesday at Mark S. Ehlers, 32, of Minneapolis.
Ehlers died Tuesday from drowning in Hart Lake, according to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office.
The chase began about 12:40 a.m. Tuesday on Arthur Street, where two patrol officers in separate squad cars saw Ehlers driving recklessly, police said. The car, which was reported stolen, went down a steep ravine and struck a tree near the lake's edge, sending Ehlers into the water.
Officers attempted in vain to revive him, police said.
He had a record in Minnesota that included convictions for disorderly conduct, theft, trespassing, tampering and using a motor vehicle without permission, receiving stolen property and first-degree burglary.
PAUL WALSH
