Overview
- The crash occurred on Jan. 17 when a 2017 Audi Q7 driven by Joel Isaias Leiniz struck a concrete pole, caught fire, and fatally injured his 8-year-old daughter, Zoe, while his two other daughters survived and were treated at a hospital.
- This week Leiniz was charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, appeared in Palm Beach County court, was released on a $150,000 bond Monday, and was ordered to have no contact with his surviving daughters while the case is pending.
- Investigators downloaded the SUV’s event data recorder and say it recorded a speed of 104 mph about five seconds before impact and showed the anti‑lock brakes activating roughly two seconds before the crash.
- Hospital toxicology showed post-crash blood-alcohol readings around 0.081–0.083 and investigators used retrograde analysis to estimate a BAC of about 0.097–0.104 at the time of the collision, figures prosecutors cite to argue impairment.
- Leiniz, who served as a youth pastor at New Covenant Church, told investigators he swerved to avoid another vehicle and did not recall his speed; the Florida Department of Children and Families will oversee any visitation while the criminal case continues.