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A former Florida youth pastor whose 8-year-old daughter died in a high-speed, impaired-driving crash has been charged months after the incident, authorities said.
Joel Isaias Leiniz, 38, was driving an Audi Q7 SUV with his three children after leaving a church concert on the night of Jan. 17 when the crash occurred on Military Trail in West Palm Beach, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office records show Leiniz was arrested on July 19 and released the following day. He faces charges of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle (DUI manslaughter) and vehicular homicide, each with a $75,000 bond.
Investigators determined Leiniz was traveling at 104 mph in a 40 mph zone when he swerved to avoid another vehicle before striking a concrete pole. His daughter, Zoe, who was in the back seat, died of her injuries at a hospital, according to the PBP report.
Only one passenger in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt, WPBF-TV reported in January.
Leiniz told police he “did not think he was speeding because he had kids in the car," reports Law & Crime. He also failed a blood-alcohol test that showed a BAC of 0.097, above the legal limit. A witness and surveillance video supported his account of swerving to avoid another vehicle.
Leiniz previously served as a youth pastor and ministry director at New Covenant Church. The Christian Post reached out to New Covenant Church for comment Tuesday.
A judge ordered Leiniz not to make any contact with his surviving daughters while the criminal case against him is pending, CBS Miami reported. Leiniz and his late wife, Sasha, both worked at New Covenant Church before Sasha died of breast cancer about a year before the crash.
Any visitation arrangements between him and his children will reportedly be supervised by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in February 2025 raised over $26,000 for the Leiniz family as part of an “educational fund” to cover school expenses for the couple’s daughters.
His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 18.
