Lynn Man Charged For A 9th Time With Driving On Suspended License

SALEM (CBS) - A Lynn man is facing charges after police say they caught him driving on a suspended license for the ninth time.

James Irving was arrested near the Salem train station on Tuesday after police say they found him behind the wheel.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kendall Buhl reports

Irving insists that he was a passenger in the car that was parked in a restricted area at the station. He says he was waiting on his girlfriend while she saw off a friend, and that it was only when a Salem police officer ordered him to move the vehicle, that he climbed over the center console into the driver's seat.

Salem police Lt. Conrad Proznewski found that claim amusing. He noted that Irving is 5'11" and weighs 310 lbs., which would make it extremely difficult for him to maneuver in the front seat of the Toyota Corolla.

"You hear all kinds of excuses in court – some good ones and some bad ones. This one was not a good one - grasping at straws. This one just didn't fly," he said.

Irving, who was released from jail last month after serving time for his eighth suspended license infraction, allegedly produced a AAA card when asked for his license.

Bail was set at $1,500.

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