LEHIGH COUNTY, PA — A 50-year-old Bristol man died Sunday afternoon when a wrong-way driver struck his motorcycle on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. John Sweeney, an experienced rider and beloved community member, was traveling northbound with his motorcycle club near mile marker 67 when a southbound vehicle collided head-on with his Harley-Davidson.
Pennsylvania State Police confirmed Sweeney died instantly from blunt force trauma in the violent crash. The wrong-way driver, whose identity has not been released, survived the collision and is cooperating with investigators. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the driver to enter the highway traveling in the opposite direction, but are examining potential factors including impairment, distraction, or medical emergency.
The tragedy has devastated Sweeney’s tight-knit motorcycle community and the Bristol neighborhood where he lived. Friends described him as a devoted father, union electrician with IBEW Local 98, and volunteer Little League coach who always put others first. His fellow riders created a roadside memorial at the crash site with his helmet, gloves, and photos to honor his memory.
This marks the latest in a series of wrong-way crashes on I-476, raising concerns about the highway’s safety measures. While the investigation continues, Sweeney’s family has established a scholarship fund in his name at Bucks County Technical High School, where he mentored students pursuing careers in electrical work.
Pennsylvania State Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the wrong-way vehicle’s movements to contact their Fogelsville barracks. As the community mourns, officials stress the importance of staying alert on highways and immediately reporting wrong-way drivers to 911.
