KENOSHA, Wis. – A Twin Lakes man with a lengthy history of drunk driving convictions is back in custody in Kenosha County, nearly a year after skipping a court hearing in a serious crash case that left a woman badly injured.

James Green Jr., 70, was charged on January 24, 2022, after police say he caused a violent head-on collision late on New Year’s Eve 2021 while driving drunk on Highway 158 near 78th Avenue in Kenosha. According to the criminal complaint, Green crossed over the median and into oncoming traffic, slamming into a vehicle driven by a Kenosha woman. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a deep cut on her forehead that required 29 stitches, a broken heel, a possible broken leg, and extensive bruising. A passenger in Green’s vehicle was also injured, and another car was struck in the chain reaction.

Responding officers reported that Green smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech, and admitted to drinking before driving. Due to his injuries—including a broken hip and possible broken ankle—field sobriety tests were not performed at the scene. A blood draw was taken, though the results were not immediately available at the time of charging.

At his first court appearance, former Court Commissioner Loren Keating released Green on a no-cash bond, allowing him to remain free pending trial. But on September 27, 2023, after he failed to show up for a scheduled court hearing, Judge Angelina Gabriele revoked his bond and issued a $10,000 cash bail warrant for his arrest.

Green was arrested yesterday just after noon and returned to custody. He appeared in court today, where Commissioner William Michel II again set his bail at $10,000 cash.

Court records show that Green has at least four prior drunk driving convictions out of Illinois, with cases dating back to 2000, 2004, 2016, and 2017.

If convicted of the top charge in Kenosha County — injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle — Green faces a maximum penalty of 12 years and six months in prison and a $25,000 fine. His driver’s license would also be revoked for two years.

His next hearing is October 10.

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