An 8-year-old Andover girl and her father were killed Sunday night when an allegedly drunk driver slammed into their car while it was stopped at a red light in North Reading.

Samir Naili, 35, and his daughter Kashmira Naili, an incoming third-grader at South Elementary School, died at the scene after their Honda HR-V caught fire following the collision on Route 28 near the intersection of Main and North streets, according to a joint statement from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and North Reading Police Chief Mark Zimmerman.

Matthew Sweeney, 21, of Paxton, was arrested at the scene and charged with felony motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence and operating to endanger. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Aug. 24, in Woburn District Court.

Investigators said Sweeney was driving an Acura MDX at a high rate of speed on Route 28 around 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, when he struck the Nailis' stopped vehicle, Boston 25 News reported. The Honda became engulfed in flames. First responders and a bystander attempted to pull the father and daughter from the burning car, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

A pizza shop owner near the intersection told Boston 25 he was closing up for the night when he heard a loud bang and ran outside. He described a police officer arriving to find the car dark inside, then fire erupting the moment the windows were broken open.

Andover police also responded.

School district activates crisis support

Andover Public Schools Superintendent Keith Taverna and South School Principal Brenda Lee notified families Monday, Aug. 24, writing that they were sharing the news "with the family's permission," according to Andover News.

The district said its crisis support team will be stationed at South School on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students, families or staff who need someone to talk with.

Families seeking additional support can contact South School at 978-247-9800.

Kashmira's grandmother identified the victims to Boston 25 News and described Kashmira as "a beautiful and sweet young girl." Family members returned to the crash scene on Route 28 to lay flowers for Samir and Kashmira.

The crash remains under investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.