April 10, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
An Allentown woman has been charged in a fatal 2025 wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Seth J. Kelly said today.
Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, 25, of Allentown, faces multiple charges including homicide by vehicle while under the influence. She is not in custody. Anybody who sees her is asked to call 911.
On March 30, 2025, state police were called to a three-vehicle crash on I-476, the northbound Turnpike, in Washington Township, Lehigh County, according to the press release. Several witnesses said a vehicle driven by Rosario-Mesa was going the wrong way in the northbound lane and hit motorcycles. There is also video of other vehicles pulling to the side of the road to avoid the southbound car.
Motorcyclist John Sweeney Jr., 50, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another motorcycle was also damaged.
Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan and Captain Kelly, who is Commanding Officer of Pennsylvania State Police Troop M:
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Capt. Seth J. Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Commanding Officer announce a woman is charged in a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred in 2025 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, DOB 5/15/2000, of Allentown, is charged with felony counts of Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, Homicide by Vehicle and other charges including Involuntary Manslaughter, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, DUI/Unsafe Driving, DUI/BAC 0.10 to 0.16 percent, Careless Driving – Unintentional Death and One-Way Roadways – Driving on One-Way Roadway.
An arrest warrant has been filed for Rosario-Mesa, but she remains at large. Anyone with information about her is asked to call 911. A photo of Rosario-Mesa is included.
Around 9 a.m. March 30, 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.
There were two damaged motorcycles at the scene. One driver, identified as 50-year-old John Sweeney Jr., was deceased 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.
Several 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 investigation also revealed Rosario-Mesa’s vehicle struck the group of motorcyclists, killing the victim and endangering several others.
This case was investigated by Trooper Brian Hrycyszn of the Pennsylvania State Police and will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney V. Paul Bernardino III.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed
are merely accusations; and the defendant, Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, is presumed innocent
until and unless proven guilty.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 