A judge has denied bond for South Florida real estate developer Allen Matis, who is accused of driving under the influence before crashing his Cadillac Lyriq into a Southwest Miami-Dade home. The June collision killed Henri Bezy, who was sleeping inside. Matis faces serious felony charges and will remain jailed pending trial.
Key takeaways
The ruling followed testimony from investigators and Bezy’s surviving sister, along with arguments from the defense about possible vehicle technology issues.
- Matis faces DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges.
- Prosecutors say his blood-alcohol level was between 0.245% and 0.29%.
- The crash killed Henri Bezy inside his Coral Terrace home.
- Judge Tanya Brinkley found no release conditions could adequately protect the community.
- Matis has pleaded not guilty and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
What happened in the crash
According to investigators, Matis ran a stop sign on Palermo Avenue shortly before 11:30 p.m. June 24 and drove into the home in the 2900 block of Southwest 57th Avenue, in the unincorporated Coral Terrace area near Coral Gables.
The SUV crossed the lawn, broke through the home’s wall and entered the living area before coming to rest near the kitchen. Deputies said Bezy was trapped beneath the vehicle. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Evidence presented in court
Authorities said surveillance footage showed Matis drinking at the Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove before the crash. A deputy who encountered him afterward reported signs of impairment, according to the arrest report.
Blood samples collected hours after the collision later showed an alcohol concentration ranging from 0.245% to 0.29%, prosecutors argued. Those results were a central factor in the judge’s decision. The reported levels are more than three times Florida’s legal limit for most drivers.
Family remembers the victim
Bezy’s 88-year-old sister, Clare, was inside the home when the crash occurred. Appearing in court in a wheelchair, she described her brother as her caretaker and recalled calling for him after the collision but receiving no response.
Family friends described Bezy as generous, devoted to fishing and deeply connected to people he had known since childhood. His death, they said, left a lasting impact on relatives and the wider community.
Defense raises vehicle questions
Defense attorney Bruce Lehr questioned whether a malfunction or driver-assistance technology could have contributed to the crash. The Cadillac Lyriq is among General Motors vehicles that may be equipped with Super Cruise, although the system is generally designed for use on limited-access highways.
The defense also emphasized that Matis did not flee while investigators reviewed the crash and awaited toxicology results. Matis has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys and family declined to comment publicly on the arrest.
Matis will remain jailed
Judge Brinkley rejected the request for release, saying the evidence of severe intoxication and the fatal nature of the crash demonstrated a danger to the community. She concluded that no set of conditions could ensure public safety before trial.
Matis, whose South Florida development work has included major construction-related projects, remains in custody. The case will proceed through the court system, where prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sources
- Judge orders no bond for real estate developer accused of crashing vehicle into home, killing senior, WPLG Local 10.
- Developer denied bond in deadly SW Miami-Dade crash – NBC 6 South Florida, NBC 6 South Florida.
- Bond denied for South Florida developer accused of drunk driving crash that killed elderly man – NBC 6 South Florida, NBC 6 South Florida.