Father and daughter stopped at red light killed by speeding driver in North Reading, DA says

A driver is facing charges including felony motor vehicle homicide after investigators say he was speeding and impaired when he slammed into a car that was stopped at a red light in North Reading, Massachusetts. Family members say a father and daughter died in the crash.

The violent crash happened around 10:45 p.m. Saturday on Route 28. The victims' car went up in flames shortly after impact.

Authorities identified the victims as 35-year-old Samir Naili and 8-year-old Kashmira Naili from Andover.

The crash happened in the area of a small shopping plaza that includes Route 28 Lucky Mart and Captain Pizza. Photos taken at the scene of the crash show that one of the heavily damaged vehicles eventually came to a stop against the businesses' sign, leaving it damaged.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and North Reading Police Chief Mark Zimmerman announced charges against 21-year-old Matthew Sweeney of Paxton.

Sweeney is now facing criminal charges that include felony motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, and operating to endanger.

According to the district attorney, Sweeney was allegedly speeding in an Acura MDX when he crashed into a Honda HR-V that was stopped at a red light.

The Honda was quickly engulfed in flames. First responders and a good Samaritan tried to pull the two people from the car, but they died on scene.

Reinaldo Demederros lives nearby. He said he was watching TV and heard a loud noise. He saw the car on fire and rushed to try and help.    

"We saw there was a little kid in the back. That broke my heart. But there was no way we could get anyone out. The fire was just too much, and it was too fast," he said. "It makes you think about your family."

Sweeney was arraigned on Monday in Woburn District Court.

North Reading is located just under 20 minutes north of Boston.