NANTICOKE -- Charges were withdrawn against a man at a hearing in Luzerne County Friday morning and officials have now filed new more serious charges, including criminal homicide.
Police believe Lorenzo Burgos of Plymouth hit and killed another man in August.
Friday morning he was in court in Nanticoke for a hearing.
The original charges against him have been withdrawn but more serious ones were then filed.
Originally, Lorenzo Burgos was charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, and a few other smaller driving charges.
He's accused of killing Fred Kleman of Plymouth in a road rage induced hit and run back in August.
His charge of homicide by vehicle has been upped to criminal homicide.
"Oh, thank God, that's what I'm hoping.”
The victim's girlfriend Cathy Huk is happy that prosecutors filed the homicide charge, a change brought on by further investigation of Burgos's car which he blamed for the deadly crash.
"We took a look at the vehicle that the defendant was driving. The vehicle was not malfunctioning so we believe that a homicide charge is warranted,” said Luzerne County A.D.A. Alexis Falvello.
According to court papers, Burgos drove past Kleman on Nottingham Street in Plymouth in August. When Kleman yelled at him to slow down Burgos allegedly drove back down the street and hit and killed Kleman. Apparently not realizing what happened, he then allegedly threatened to kill Kleman with a metal bar and took off.
Police arrested Burgos at a nearby store.
When asked about the new charges Burgos told Newswatch 16, "you can speak to my lawyer."
So we did speak to his attorney.
"The inspection did, in fact, reveal that the tires themselves were bald and that the car would not have passed inspection, and so that may become an issue,” said Burgos's attorney Nanda Palissery.
Family and friends of the victim say they're happy to see a harsher charge for Burgos.
"I would love to go after him."
As they continue to mourn the loss of Fred Kleman.
"I live on the block. I see his cross every day, but I have children, and I just do the best I can,” Huk said.
Burgos is locked up without bail. He's expected back in court next week.