Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa mug shot
Courtesy of the Lehigh County District Attorney
WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. – Charges have been filed one year after a wrong-way driver hit and killed a motorcyclist on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
25-year-old Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa of Allentown is charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and related offenses.
Police say around 9 a.m. March 30, 2025, Pennsylvania State Police were called to a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 476 northbound at mile marker 67.0 in Washington Township, Lehigh County.
Several witnesses had called 911 and said a vehicle driven by Rosario-Mesa was driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes when her vehicle hit several motorcyclists, according to a press release from the Lehigh County DA’s Office.
The witnesses, as well as video surveillance footage, showed Rosario-Mesa’s vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes, passing several vehicles that pulled to the side of the road to avoid her, the release says.
Officers say there were two damaged motorcycles at the scene. One driver, identified as 50-year-old John Sweeney Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. Sweeney died from blunt force injuries due to motorcycle/motor vehicle crash and his death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.
A blood draw at the hospital allegedly yielded a 0.104% BAC, which would place the defendant over the legal limit.
Police say an arrest warrant has been filed for Rosario-Mesa, but she remains at large. Anyone with information about her is asked to call 911.
This case is being investigated by the PSP.