💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
Joel Leiniz, a 38-year-old widower and youth pastor in Broward County, was arrested on July 19 and charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter following a January 17 collision in Palm Beach County that claimed the life of his 8-year-old daughter, Zoë. The crash occurred at approximately 9:50 p.m. near Military Trail and Vicliff Road in Greenacres, when Leiniz lost control of his 2017 Audi Q7 and struck a utility pole while traveling at 104 mph in a 40-mph zone.
According to Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office reports, Leiniz had attended a church concert with his three daughters before the accident. Emergency responders transported Leiniz and all three daughters to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where Zoë was pronounced dead shortly after 10:45 p.m. His 6-year-old and 12-year-old daughters survived their injuries. The tragedy occurred nine days before what would have marked the first anniversary of the death of the children’s mother, Sasha Christine Leiniz, a former children’s ministry director at New Covenant Church in Pompano Beach, who died of breast cancer the previous year.
A toxicology report revealed Leiniz’s blood alcohol content was .081/.083 at hospital admission, with investigators determining his BAC at the time of collision was .097/.104—above Florida’s legal limit of .08. A deputy’s report indicated investigators conducted a retrograde analysis of Leiniz’s alcohol consumption despite his statement that he had not been drinking. Video surveillance from a camera at the crash site corroborated the deputy’s assessment that Leiniz was traveling at excessive speed and swerving to avoid another vehicle immediately before losing control.
Leiniz told investigators he had been attempting to change lanes when he encountered a car ahead of him and swerved right, losing control of the vehicle. He stated he could not recall his speed or the speed limit but did not believe he was speeding. The extensive damage to the vehicle, combined with video evidence of the vehicle’s lift and rotation during impact and tire loading marks, confirmed investigators’ determination that Leiniz was driving at dangerously high speed.
Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Donald Hafele set Leiniz’s bond at $150,000, or $75,000 per charge, during a Monday bond hearing. Circuit Judge Sherri L. Collins is scheduled to preside over the case, with the next hearing set for September 24.
More Stories
Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Placed on NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List Following Domestic Arrest
Federal Prosecutors Convene Special Grand Jury to Investigate D.C. Schools’ Attendance and Graduation Practices
Denver Broncos Linebacker Jonathon Cooper Placed on Commissioner’s Exempt List Amid Domestic Violence Charges