A Palm Beach County youth pastor is now facing serious felony charges in the January crash that killed his 8-year-old daughter, according to court records. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Joel Isaias Leiniz was arrested Monday and charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide after investigators reviewed his blood-test results and data pulled from his SUV.
The violent single-car collision on Jan. 17 left the Audi Q7 wrapped around a concrete pole with its engine bay on fire, authorities say. Three family members were rushed to the hospital, and the child was later pronounced dead.
Affidavit Lays Out High Speed And Alcohol
According to the arrest affidavit, the SUV's event data recorder showed the Audi was traveling about 104 mph roughly five seconds before impact, and the anti-lock braking system activated about two seconds before the crash, WPBF reported. Prosecutors say blood tests put Leiniz's blood-alcohol level at .083, just over Florida's legal limit of .08. The affidavit also notes the SUV hit a concrete pole in the 2600 block of South Military Trail and then caught fire, burning the windshield and dashboard.
The Crash And The Victims
Investigators say the wreck happened shortly before 10 p.m. on Jan. 17 in the 2600 block of South Military Trail near John I. Leonard High School, where Leiniz allegedly swerved to avoid a slower car, jumped the curb, and slammed into a concrete power pole, as reported by WPBF. Three children riding in the back seat were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and the 8-year-old girl was pronounced dead about an hour later. Earlier coverage from WPBF noted that only the 5-year-old was using a safety device at the time.
Earlier Reporting And Local Context
Hoodline first covered the wreck in January, reporting on the family's injuries and the child's death and noting that investigators suspected intoxicants and that charges were pending. That early look at the deadly crash drew from local reporting and the sheriff's crash report.
Legal Charges And What They Mean
Prosecutors filed the DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide counts after reviewing the affidavit, and Leiniz is scheduled for his first court appearance on Monday, July 20, WPTV reported. Under Florida law, both DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide are felonies that can bring lengthy prison terms and long-term loss of driving privileges. State guidance lists DUI manslaughter as a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and courts may also revoke a driver's license for at least three years, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and state statutes.
The case now moves into the Palm Beach County court system, where prosecutors will decide at arraignment whether to pursue any additional charges. This story will be updated as new filings and official statements are released.
