A Johnson City man with 19 previous driving on suspended license convictions was arrested again Saturday after Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies spotted him in driving in an emergency lane on Boones Creek Road, Sheriff Ed Graybeal said in a news release.
Robert D. Bowlin, 57, was charged with his 20th offense of driving while license suspended or revoked and driving while habitual motor vehicle offender restriction in effect.
Graybeal said deputies saw a 1992 dark red Buick Century being driven in the emergency lane of Boones Creek Road near the intersection with Interstate 26.
Deputies stopped the vehicle and upon further investigation determined Bowlin to be the driver. A check of his driving history showed that he was a habitual motor offender indicating he had 19 previous convictions for driving while his license was revoked.
Bowlin was jailed in the Washington County Detention Center on $6,000 bond and arraigned Monday in Sessions Court.
In March, Bowlin was arrested on charges that he fled a Johnson City traffic stop before running out of gas in Carter County.
Police tried to stop Bowlin for speeding on East Fairview Avenue. Bowlin sped up and quickly turned onto a gravel road that led into Carter County, police said. He ran out of gas and was found standing beside his vehicle.