NORTH READING, Mass. — A 21-year-old Massachusetts man is scheduled to appear in court after authorities say he was involved in a high-speed, operating-under-the-influence crash that claimed the lives of a father and his young daughter Saturday night in North Reading.
The victims have been identified as Samir Naili, 35, of Andover, and his 8-year-old daughter, Kashmera Naili.
According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, the crash occurred on Route 28 in North Reading when an Acura MDX allegedly driven by Matthew Sweeney, 21, of Paxton, struck a Honda HR-V that was stopped at a red light.
Investigators allege that Sweeney was traveling at a high rate of speed before the collision. The impact caused the Honda to become engulfed in flames, creating a devastating scene that prompted immediate rescue efforts from first responders and nearby witnesses.
Emergency crews, assisted by Good Samaritans who rushed to help, attempted to rescue the occupants trapped inside the burning vehicle. Despite those efforts, Samir Naili and his daughter Kashmera were pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members later confirmed the identities of the victims and shared details about the profound loss that has shaken their loved ones and the broader Andover community.
According to Kashmera’s grandmother, the father and daughter had left home on a routine errand to purchase milk when the tragedy occurred. She described Samir as a devoted father who loved music and enjoyed teaching and spending time with his daughter.
Kashmera, who was preparing to begin third grade in the Andover Public Schools system, was remembered as a bright, compassionate, and caring child. Family members said she was known for her kindness toward classmates and friends and for her willingness to help and support those around her.
The sudden loss of both father and daughter has left relatives struggling to comprehend the tragedy. While grieving, family members have expressed appreciation for the efforts of first responders and civilians who attempted to save their loved ones from the burning vehicle.
Authorities said Sweeney was taken into custody at the scene. He is facing multiple charges, including felony motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, and operating to endanger, in connection with the fatal crash.
Video from the aftermath showed heavily damaged vehicles near the intersection of North Street and Main Street, close to a local business. Witnesses described frantic attempts to reach those trapped inside the Honda as flames rapidly spread through the vehicle.
Among those who witnessed the incident was a nearby business owner who told local media that bystanders and police officers desperately tried to gain access to the vehicle before the fire intensified. Witnesses described a chaotic and heartbreaking scene as rescue efforts unfolded.
The fatal crash has sent shockwaves through both North Reading and Andover, where friends, neighbors, educators, and community members are mourning the deaths of a father and daughter whose lives ended in an instant.
As investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the collision, community members have begun sharing tributes honoring Samir and Kashmera. Many have remembered the close bond they shared and the joy they brought to those around them.
The case remains under investigation, and additional details are expected to emerge as court proceedings move forward.
Meanwhile, family members continue to grieve the loss of two beloved lives taken far too soon. The deaths of Samir Naili and Kashmera Naili have left an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who knew them, and their memory will remain with family, friends, classmates, and the wider community.
The thoughts and condolences of many across Massachusetts remain with the Naili family as they navigate this devastating tragedy.
