A 21-year-old Paxton man is facing felony motor vehicle homicide and other charges after investigators say he was driving at a high rate of speed and under the influence when he crashed into a car stopped at a red light in North Reading, killing a father and his 8-year-old daughter.
Matthew Sweeney was arrested at the scene and charged with felony motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence and operating to endanger, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and North Reading police.
The crash happened at about 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on Route 28 near the intersection of North and Main streets.
Investigators said Sweeney was driving an Acura MDX when it struck a Honda HR-V that was stopped at a red light. The Honda caught fire after the collision.
First responders and a bystander tried to get the occupants out of the burning vehicle, but both victims died at the scene.
The victims were identified by family members as 35-year-old Samir Naili and his daughter, 8-year-old Kashmera Naili, both of Andover.
Kashmera was an incoming third-grade student in the Andover Public Schools system. School Superintendent Keith Taverna said the district was informed of the loss with the family’s permission and said support would be available to students, staff and families.
Andover Public Schools said its mental health staff would be available at South School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25, for members of the school community who need support.
The crash also drew people from nearby businesses and homes to the scene.
Captain Pizza owner Stergios Papadopoulos told local reporters that he heard a loud crash and went outside. He said people tried to reach the occupants after a police officer asked whether anyone was inside the vehicle, but the fire quickly spread.
Reinaldo Demedeiros, who lives nearby, also rushed toward the crash after hearing the impact. He said he tried to help but was unable to get the occupants out before the fire took over the vehicle.
The collision caused extensive damage at the small shopping plaza near the crash site, including damage to a sign near Captain Pizza.
Sweeney is expected to be arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court. The crash remains under investigation.
The charges against Sweeney are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
