Warrant is issued for man in traffic death

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- An arrest warrant was issued this week for Nicholas Julian Lauro, charged in the July 14, 2003, death of Crystal Wilkins, 22, of New Castle.
Lauro, 22, of Plank Road, is charged with accidents involving death while not properly licensed, a third-degree felony, and recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor. The charges were filed after an investigation by the New Castle Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police accident reconstruction specialists.
Lawrence County District Attorney Matthew Mangino said Lauro was speeding on a motorcycle on East Lincoln Avenue in New Castle when he lost control and struck a parked car. Wilkins, a passenger on Lauro's motorcycle, was severely injured and later died at Jameson Hospital.
Lauro is also charged with reckless driving and carrying a passenger while operating a motorcycle with a learner's permit. At the time of the crash, Lauro did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license.
With only a learner's permit, Mangino said, motorcyclists are not allowed to carry passengers.