Woman charged in wrong-way, DUI crash that killed motorcyclist on I-476 in Pa.

The U.S. Marshals arrested a woman accused of driving drunk and the wrong way on I-476 in the Lehigh Valley in a crash that killed a motorcyclist last year.

Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, 25, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, DUI, and other related offenses.

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On March 30, 2025, shortly before 9 a.m., Rosario-Mesa was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-476 in Washington Township, Lehigh County, investigators said. Rosario-Mesa struck a group of motorcyclists, killing 50-year-old John Sweeney Jr., according to officials.

Rosario-Mesa suffered minor injuries in the crash at the time and an investigation was launched.

Investigators determined Rosario-Mesa was driving drunk at the time of the crash and her blood alcohol level was at 0.104%.

On April 7, 2026, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Rosario-Mesa’s arrest. Rosario-Mesa failed to surrender and her case was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Task Force, officials said.

Investigators received an anonymous tip on Tuesday, May 5, suggesting Rosario-Mesa was hiding with her boyfriend at an apartment on the 2700 block of Stanwood Street in Northeast Philadelphia, officials said. U.S. Marshals responded to the apartment on Wednesday, May 6, around 11 a.m. and arrested Rosario-Mesa, according to investigators. She was then transported to the Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, Pocono Barracks.

Rosario-Mesa’s bail was set at $500,000 and she remains in custody at Lehigh County Jail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12 at 10:30 a.m.  

Rosario-Mesa’s attorney, David Ritter, sent NBC10 a statement on his client’s behalf.

“Ms. Rosario Mesa fully understands the seriousness of the charges filed against her,” Ritter wrote. “A preliminary hearing date has now been set. I look forward to defending her rights as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.”