WAYNE COUNTY — The family of a McLeansboro man killed last weekend in a side-by-side crash near Keenes appeared in Wayne County Court Friday seeking to have the 35-year-old man charged with his death released from jail.

Relatives of 54-year-old James Burrow informed the court Friday that he was best friends with 35-year-old Johnny Greene and that Green should be allowed to say goodbye. Burrow’s funeral service is being held Saturday afternoon in McLeansboro.

Green is facing charges of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Class 2 felony, and Reckless Homicide, a Class 3 felony, in connection with Burrow’s death last Friday night in southwestern Wayne County.

If convicted, Green could face up to 24 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with a truth-in-sentencing statute requiring him to serve 85% of the sentence.

Burrow’s parents testified on Green’s behalf Friday, calling the crash a tragic accident. Judge Denton Aud ultimately granted Green pretrial release.

Conditions of Green’s release include abstaining from alcohol, wearing a GPS monitor, and using a SCRAM CAM Bracelet Alcohol Ankle Monitor for 24/7 transdermal alcohol monitoring.

Green is scheduled to return to court for a June 25th preliminary hearing in the case.