NJ Woman Charged in Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on PA Turnpike

Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa faces homicide charges a year after admitting to drinking and falling asleep at the wheel, causing the death of a Bucks County motorcyclist.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:18am

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car side mirror reflecting a faint red light, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually illustrates the aftermath of a tragic wrong-way crash.A shattered car mirror reflects the aftermath of a fatal wrong-way crash, exposing the grim realities of drunk and drowsy driving.Allentown Today

A year after a fatal wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension that killed a beloved Bristol Township motorcyclist, authorities have charged the driver, Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, and other related offenses. Rosario-Mesa, formerly of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, admitted to drinking tequila and falling asleep at the wheel before the crash.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of drunk and drowsy driving, which continue to be major contributors to fatal crashes on highways across the country. The charges against Rosario-Mesa come after a year-long investigation and could bring some measure of justice and closure for the victim's family.

The details

On March 31, 2025, six motorcyclists were headed north on Route 476 near the Lehigh Tunnel when two of them were struck by a Honda HRV driven by Rosario-Mesa around 9:10 a.m. John Sweeney, 50, of Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene. Rosario-Mesa remained at the crash site and told a state trooper, "It's all my fault. I was tired and falling asleep. I thought I bumped into something and then woke up." She admitted to having two or three shots of tequila, and a blood test found her blood alcohol level to be 0.104 percent.

  • On March 31, 2025, the fatal wrong-way crash occurred on the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension.
  • A year after the incident, on April 12, 2026, Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa was charged with homicide and other related offenses.

The players

Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa

A 24-year-old former resident of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, who has now been charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, and other related offenses for the fatal wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 2025.

John Sweeney

A 50-year-old motorcyclist from Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, who was killed in the 2025 wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension.

Gavin Holihan

The Lehigh Valley District Attorney who announced the charges against Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa.

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What they’re saying

“It's all my fault. I was tired and falling asleep. I thought I bumped into something and then woke up.”

— Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa

“I hope they find her soon, it still feels like yesterday we were still on the phone talk I miss you dad.”

— John Sweeney's son

What’s next

An arrest warrant has been issued for Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, whose last known address is in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Authorities are working to locate and apprehend her.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating consequences of drunk and drowsy driving, which continue to be major contributors to fatal crashes on highways across the country. The charges against Rosario-Mesa could bring some measure of justice and closure for the victim's family, but the loss of a beloved family member can never be fully healed.