A devastating single-vehicle crash in Greenacres claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl and left three family members with serious injuries on the evening of January 17, 2026. The collision, which occurred near John I. Leonard High School, has left a community in mourning and raised serious questions about road safety and impaired driving.
Zoe Alaya Leiniz of Margate died at a hospital about an hour after the crash CBS12, marking a tragic end to what should have been a routine family outing. She was traveling with her father and two sisters when the accident occurred in the 2600 block of South Military Trail, near the Palm Springs town line and El Presidente shopping plaza.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a 38-year-old man from Margate was driving a 2017 Audi Q7 southbound at a high rate of speed when he attempted to change lanes Komo News. Investigators identified the driver as Joel Isaias Leiniz, Zoe’s father. While traveling in the left lane, he attempted to merge right but had to swerve suddenly to avoid hitting a slower vehicle in the center lane. This evasive maneuver proved catastrophic as he lost complete control of the luxury SUV.
The Audi mounted the curb and continued traveling south before the front end slammed into a concrete power pole. The force of impact was so severe that the rear of the SUV lifted off the ground and spun counterclockwise around the pole, before coming to rest on the sidewalk facing west. Within moments, the engine compartment erupted in flames, adding to the horror of the scene as first responders rushed to extract the occupants.
All four family members were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Besides young Zoe, the crash also injured her sisters, ages 11 and 5, along with their father. Tragically, the 5-year-old girl was the only person in the SUV who was wearing a seat belt, a fact that underscores the compound nature of the tragedy. The lack of proper restraints likely contributed to the severity of injuries sustained by the other passengers.
Most disturbing is what investigators discovered at the crash scene. Evidence from the scene indicates that either drugs or alcohol may have played a role in the crash. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has stated that charges are pending against the driver as the investigation continues. If impairment is confirmed, the father could face serious criminal charges, including vehicular manslaughter while under the influence.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:52 p.m., during what should have been a safe evening drive. The specific speed at which the Audi was traveling remains undisclosed in official reports, though witnesses and investigators consistently describe it as excessive for the roadway conditions. Military Trail is a busy thoroughfare in the area, making high-speed driving particularly dangerous.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the critical importance of seatbelt use. A young life has been lost, a family shattered, and a community left grappling with preventable loss.
