A Florida youth pastor has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence manslaughter following a crash that killed his 8-year-old daughter. Joel Leiniz, 38, was taken into custody on July 19, nearly six months after his daughter, Zoe, died in the January 17 collision in West Palm Beach.
Police stated that Leiniz was driving a 2017 Audi Q7 with his three children inside when he crashed into a concrete pole shortly before 10 p.m. Leiniz told authorities that the family was traveling from a church concert to a Mexican restaurant when he swerved to avoid another vehicle and lost control, causing the car to strike the pole and catch fire. He initially told police he did not recall his speed, believing he wasn't speeding due to having children in the car.
However, the vehicle's event data recorder indicated the Audi was traveling at 104 mph in a 40 mph zone approximately five seconds before the crash. Testing performed at the hospital revealed Leiniz's blood-alcohol concentration was 0.083, slightly above Florida's legal limit of 0.08. Further toxicology reports confirmed he was impaired at the time of the collision.
Leiniz was arrested and subsequently appeared in court. His attorney argued for a reasonable bond, citing Leiniz's status as a newly-widowed single father. The defense noted that Leiniz's wife, Sasha Leiniz, died from cancer on January 26, 2025, after a prolonged illness during which Leiniz was her sole caretaker. The couple had three children: Esperanza, Zoe, and Izabel. Leiniz had also resigned from his position as ministry director at New Covenant Church in January to spend more time with his family.
Leiniz pleaded not guilty and was released on a $150,000 bond. A GoFundMe has been established to support the family as they navigate their grief and recovery.