May 6, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
An Allentown woman charged in a fatal wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in March 2025 is in custody.
Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, 24, DOB 5/15/2000, was taken into custody in Philadelphia by the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, according to a joint statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Captain Seth J. Kelly said in a joint statement today.
Rosario-Mesa allegedly drove a vehicle the wrong way on March 30, 2025, in the northbound lane of the turnpike in Washington Township, Lehigh County. Motorcyclist John Sweeney Jr., 50, was pronounced dead at scene.
Rosario-Mesa is being held in Lehigh County Jail with bail set at $500,000. She faces several charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, law enforcement said in a press release.
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, the statement says.
Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan and Captain Kelly:
May 6, 2026
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Capt. Seth J. Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Commanding Officer announce a woman charged in a fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been taken into custody.
In April, this office announced charges against Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, DOB 5/15/2000, of Allentown, and said she remained at large. Today, Rosario-Mesa was taken into custody in Philadelphia by the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force.
Rosario-Mesa 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.
Rosario-Mesa’s bail has been set at $500,000 and she remains in Lehigh County Jail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 12 before Magisterial District Judge Todd P. Heffelfinger.
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.
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. At the time of the crash, Rosario-Mesa’s blood alcohol content was 0.104 percent.
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 