2 people stopped at red light killed by speeding North Reading driver, 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.

The violent crash happened around 10:45 p.m. Saturday on Route 28. 

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.

The DA said an adult man and a minor were killed in the crash. Authorities have not released the names of either person killed in the crash. 

Sweeney is expected to be arraigned on Monday in Woburn District Court.

No additional details on the crash are currently available.

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