An habitual traffic violator caught driving a vehicle in southeastern Greene County last Friday was arrested on a charge of operating a motor vehicle after losing his license for life. It’s a Level 5 felony.

Corey Lynn Carnegie, 53, Loogootee, was arrested by Indiana State Police Trooper Ben Burris last Friday afternoon, November 12.

Carnegie was the driver of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche eastbound on State Road 58 that was headed into a gas station when he passed by Trooper Burris who was sitting in a pull-off area on the north side of SR 58, across the road from the White River Co-op gas station. Trooper Burris said when Carnegie passed by, he noticed the driver turned his head away and appeared to be hiding his face away from the trooper.

When Carnegie parked and went into the store, Trooper Burris checked records and learned Carnegie, the registered owner of the vehicle, was an habitual traffic violator who had lost his license on a lifetime suspension. Trooper Burris then drove to the intersection of US 231 and SR 58 and waited. He said Carnegie then turned back onto SR 58, then turned onto Scotland Road then south on Westgate Road where Trooper Burris initiated a traffic stop.

Carnegie had a state identification card and allegedly admitted he did not have a driver’s license. He also said he hoped the trooper wouldn’t take him to jail.

Carnegie was taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Jail where he was booked in at 3:46 p.m. with bond set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. Carnegie posted $400 and was released later the same day.

Carnegie’s initial hearing is set for tomorrow morning, Thursday, November 18, in Greene Superior Court.

Carnegie is facing a charge of operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life. It’s a Level 5 felony.