Lehigh County officials have identified the motorcyclist who died in a crash Sunday morning on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Washington Township.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio confirmed that 50-year-old John Joseph Sweeney of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred around 9:09 a.m. on March 30.
According to Pennsylvania State Police from the Troop T Pocono Station, a 24-year-old woman from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was driving a 2019 Honda HR-V southbound in the northbound lanes when the vehicle struck two motorcycles that were part of a group of six riders.
Sweeney was riding a 2016 Harley-Davidson when the collision occurred.
Another motorcyclist, a 24-year-old man also from Bristol, sustained injuries in the crash. He was treated at the scene by Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services before being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest for further care.
The driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries.
In response to the crash, northbound traffic on the Turnpike was detoured at the Lehigh Valley exit, and access to the northbound lanes from State Route 22 was temporarily closed. Southbound lanes remained open.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office are actively investigating the incident. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact the Troop T Pocono Station at 570-443-9511 and reference incident number PA2025-379419.
Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania: An ongoing concern
Motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania are often severe and frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities due to the exposed nature of riders and the high speeds involved. Despite accounting for a small percentage of total vehicles on the road, motorcycles are disproportionately represented in traffic fatalities. According to PennDOT, hundreds of motorcyclists are killed and thousands more are injured each year across the state.
Factors such as limited visibility, distracted driving, and the vulnerability of motorcyclists in collisions contribute to the heightened risk. These tragic incidents underscore the critical need for both rider safety education and increased awareness among all motorists.
A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Responds
As a motorcycle accident attorney, I see firsthand the devastating impact these crashes have on victims and their families. Accidents involving motorcycles are rarely minor—when a rider is struck by a larger vehicle, the consequences are often catastrophic. Broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fatalities are all too common. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that many of these accidents could have been prevented if other drivers were more attentive and respected the rights of motorcyclists on the road.
In cases like these, it’s crucial for victims and their families to know they have legal rights. When a driver’s negligence—such as driving the wrong way, distracted driving, or impaired operation—leads to a crash, the law provides a path for victims to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. My job is to make sure those responsible are held accountable and to help families navigate the legal process during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Beyond the courtroom, this tragedy serves as a powerful reminder of how vulnerable motorcyclists are and why greater awareness is needed. We urge all drivers to stay alert, double-check their surroundings, and always share the road responsibly. One careless moment can change or end a life.
