The man accused of killing Wareham resident Chris Elicier in a wrong-way accident on Route 495 last June is out on bail -- and his future is up in the air.

Phendy Pamphile, 27, of Brockton, is charged with manslaughter while operating under the influence, motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He has pleaded "not guilty."

Police said Pamphile was driving south on Route 495 northbound in the area of exits 1 and 2 around 10:20 p.m. on June 16, when he crashed into 43-year-old Christopher Elicier's 2012 Hyundai Veloster coupe. Elicier was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.

The case has been continued to March 26, but Elicier's family members have provided a glimpse of what is going on.

"We went to the courthouse last week, and the judge has [recommended] giving the fellow six to eight years," should he decide to change his plea to "guilty," according to Elicier's mother-in-law, Patricia Cullen.

There has been recent talk of a possible plea bargain, but Cullen said it's not clear if one will be worked out.

"We're not even sure if they're doing a plea bargain," said Cullen. "Everything is just kind of on hold for awhile."

Pamphile's charges carry a potential sentence of not less than two-and-a-half years in prison, and a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Elicier was heading to Taunton State Hospital to work the overnight shift when Pamphile hit him head-on, police said.

Court documents indicate that Pamphile had come from a party in Wareham, where witnesses say they made numerous attempts to prevent him from leaving.

The host offered him a couch to sleep on for the night but he refused, court documents say.

Pamphile went into the backyard of the residence to eat, and a short time later, the host was informed that Pamphile had hopped the fence in the backyard and taken off in his car, according to court documents.

Elicier is survived by his wife of 19 years, Cathleen, and sons Jordan Michael, and Ryan Christopher. A 1987 graduate of Wareham High School, Elicier had worked at Taunton State Hospital for 22 years.