A South Florida real estate developer was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to killing an elderly man in a drunken crash.
Allen Matis, 68, pleaded guilty four months after smashing into the living room of a home in Coral Gables, where 82-year-old Henry Bezy was sleeping inside, WTVJ reported.
Police say Matis was driving at three-and-a-half times the legal intoxication limit when his Cadillac Lyriq ran a stop sign on Palermo Avenue and crashed into Bezy’s Home. Bezy’s sister Claire, who was also inside, survived.
Claire Bezy described her brother as a “vibrant person” who was “always available to talk to.”
“Now there’s a void taking his place, and nothing will ever change that. Nothing will ever bring him back,” she said.
She gave other drivers some advice: “Just don’t drink and drive. It’s as simple as that.”
Surveillance video captured Matis drinking at the Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove before the crash, according to authorities. He appeared confused and disoriented in body camera footage captured at the scene, the outlet said.
Matis was arrested Aug. 26. A judge denied bond five days later. During that hearing, Matis pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
But by his Oct. 22 sentencing, Matis’ tune had changed. He expressed remorse for the crash, saying “Henry’s death is a cross I’m going to bear for the rest of my life.”
He also said he intended to pivot to a life of charity and helping others less fortunate than him, citing donations he had previously made, the outlet said.
“Your education and financial donations mean nothing,” Judge Tanya Brinkley said. “You single-handedly, voluntarily crashed your car into their home, where people are supposed to be safe and secure, and you killed a man.”
In addition to six years in prison, Matis will face probation and 200 hours of community service. His driver’s license was suspended.
Matis has ties to some of Miami’s major construction projects. He was a consultant on the 2.5 million-square-foot Miami Riverbridge development, a partnership between Hyatt Hotels and Gencom, The Real Deal previously reported. The project includes two hotels totaling 895 rooms, more than 686 residential units and 110,000 square feet of commercial space, according to the development’s website.
—Grace McClung
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