Pastor Charged After Alleged Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 8-Year-Old Daughter

A Florida pastor is facing criminal charges months after a devastating crash that claimed the life of his 8-year-old daughter and left two of his other children injured. Investigators allege that the father was driving under the influence and traveling at an extremely high speed when the fatal collision occurred.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Joel Isaias Leiniz was arrested following a lengthy investigation into the January crash in West Palm Beach. Authorities allege that Leiniz was driving a 2017 Audi Q7 with his three daughters inside when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a concrete utility pole. The SUV burst into flames after impact, and his 8-year-old daughter, Zoe, later died from her injuries. His two other daughters survived but were also hurt in the crash.

Investigators say data recovered from the vehicle showed it was traveling approximately 104 mph in a 40-mph zone at the time of the crash. A blood alcohol test administered after the collision allegedly showed Leiniz’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.083—slightly above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. Authorities believe his blood alcohol level may have been even higher at the time of the crash.

Leiniz reportedly told investigators that he lost control while attempting to avoid another vehicle and insisted he would not have been speeding because his daughters were in the SUV. However, detectives said physical evidence at the scene and electronic data from the vehicle contradicted that account.

The tragedy came less than a year after the children’s mother died from cancer, leaving Leiniz to care for their daughters alone. During his initial court appearance, defense attorneys described him as a grieving widowed father whose family had already endured unimaginable loss. Prosecutors, however, argued that the evidence supported serious criminal charges.

Leiniz has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on bond while the case proceeds through the legal system. If convicted, he could face significant prison time.

The heartbreaking case has drawn widespread attention across the country, sparking renewed discussions about impaired driving, excessive speeding, and the devastating consequences reckless decisions can have on families. As the legal process continues, the community continues to remember Zoe, whose life was tragically cut short in a crash investigators say could have been prevented.

Source: New York Post, Front Page Detectives