In West Palm Beach, a fatal crash has robbed a community of a cyclist and a 44-year-old man of his life. Jason Ryan Karvois, a resident of Acreage, was arrested after a December crash that killed 61-year-old cyclist Foad Makhmoor. In the midst of a legal case working its way through Florida’s legal system, the crash has highlighted the serious consequences of driving impaired and the legal consequences of doing so, particularly when lives are lost.
The Fatal Incident by Jason Ryan Karvois
What Happened That Night
On December 9, 2022, around 7:00 p.m., a dark blue Infiniti QX80 SUV being driven by Jason Ryan Karvois struck and killed 61-year-old Wellington resident, Foad Makhmoor, while he was riding his bike. The collision occurred in the 8900 block of Okeechobee Boulevard near Sansburys Way, just past the village border of Royal Palm Beach in West Palm Beach.
According to police reports, Makhmoor was riding in a designated bicycle lane when Karvois swerved and struck him. Witnesses to the crash stopped Karvois’ SUV a short distance away from the scene. When police arrived, they found the vehicle in a westbound turn lane.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Makhmoor died from multiple blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash.
Condition of the Driver
Upon officers’ first contact with Karvois, he was remembered as being “unsteady on his feet, slurred speech, confused and unable to complete coherent sentences,” according to the police report. In light of these observations Officers subsequently pursued sobriety investigations of Karvois, at the time of the crash.
Two separate blood draws were conducted after the accident, and the results were shocking. Karvois had blood alcohol levels of 0.306 and 0.259 grams per 100 milliliters of blood. Both levels were much higher than the state of Florida’s DUI limit of 0.08; which means his blood alcohol content level was almost four times what it deemed legal.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
Charges Filed on Jason Ryan Karvois
Following an investigation, West Palm Beach police arrested Jason Ryan Karvois on May 5, 2023. He now faces two serious felony charges:
- DUI Manslaughter
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash Causing Death
The case was filed in the Florida State Palm Beach County Fifteenth Circuit Court on May 4, 2023, with case number 50-2023-CF-003830-AXXX-MB, as documented in court records.
Initial Court Appearance
On May 6, 2023, at a bail hearing in the Palm Beach County Jail, Circuit Judge Luis Delgado set Karvois’ bail at $100,000 and ordered an ankle monitor upon release. According to reports from TIME Business News, Karvois remained in custody at Palm Beach County Jail as of May 8, 2023.
An attorney represented Karvois at this initial hearing but declined to comment on the case to the media.
Additional Evidence
When executing a search warrant for Karvois’ vehicle, investigators discovered:
- Two empty vodka bottles
- A clear plastic bag containing what appeared to be cocaine
- Various prescription pills
- Two firearms (a 9mm pistol and a 9×19-caliber pistol)
These findings could result in more charges than the original DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene charges, however, there is no indication from the latest court records that any charges have been filed.
Potential Consequences
Legal Penalties
Under Florida law, the charges Karvois faces carry severe potential penalties:
DUI Manslaughter (Florida Statute 316.193):
- Up to 15 years in prison
- Up to 15 years of probation
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Permanent driver’s license revocation
Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death (Florida Statute 316.027):
- Up to 30 years in prison
- Up to 30 years of probation
- Up to $10,000 in fines
As ModelFact notes, determining the exact length of Karvois’ potential prison sentence will depend on various factors, including the specific details of the case, his prior criminal history, any plea deals reached, and the discretion of the presiding judge.
Case Status
As of the most recent available information, Karvois’ trial has not yet concluded. According to multiple sources including NewsFinale, the case is still proceeding through the Florida court system. The COVID-19 pandemic and typical legal procedures have likely contributed to the timeline of the case, which is not uncommon for serious felony charges.
The Victim: Foad Makhmoor
While this legal case unfolds, we must keep in mind the human impact of this tragedy. Foad Makhmoor was 61 years old and a Wellington resident in Florida. We don’t have much public information about Mr. Makhmoor and we have no idea how many close friends or relatives he may have left. Regardless, the loss of his life has affected all the people who were close to him, and those who lived in the community he was part of.
The Times reported Mr. Makhmoor was riding his bicycle, lawfully in a bike lane, when the crash happened. His death is another harsh reminder of how vulnerable bicycles are on the roads we share with vehicles, and how much damage impaired driving can inflict on those who are weaker and vulnerable members of our community.
Personal Circumstances
Divorce Proceedings
Court records indicate that in January 2023, about a month after the fatal crash, Rebecca Lynn Karvois filed for divorce from Jason Karvois. The divorce case (50-2023-DR-000230-XXXX-NB) was filed in Palm Beach County on January 9, 2023, according to Trellis Law. This suggests that the criminal case may have had significant impacts on Karvois’ personal life.
Background Information
Karvois was 44 years old at the time of the crash. Public records show he lived in the Acreage section of Palm Beach County. Beyond this simple information, we don’t have publically available information about Karvois’ demographics, occupations, or any other criminal history.
Broader Implications
Community Impact
The case has resonated within the Palm Beach County community, particularly among cycling advocates. As Current Affairs reports, incidents like these often spark renewed calls for improved safety measures for cyclists and stricter enforcement of DUI laws.
The tragic death of Foad Makhmoor serves as a painful reminder of the potential consequences of impaired driving and has prompted discussions about road safety in the area.
Legal Significance
From a legal perspective, this case highlights several important aspects of the criminal justice system’s approach to DUI-related fatalities:
- The multi-faceted investigation process, including toxicology testing, witness statements, and physical evidence collection
- The serious charges and potential penalties associated with impaired driving causing death
- The role of attorneys in navigating complex DUI manslaughter cases
- The use of bail conditions, including monitoring devices, to ensure public safety while respecting due process
Current Status
Based on the latest available information, Jason Ryan Karvois is still in the Florida court system. No decision or sentencing has been made public as of this time. According to the last reports from late 2023 and early 2024, the case was still an active matter in the Florida legal system.
The latest publicly available court docket information shows that the case was filed on May 4, 2023, in the Fifteenth Circuit Court of Palm Beach County under case number 50-2023-CF-003830-AXXX-MB, presided over by Judge Jeffrey Gillen.
For the most accurate information about the case status, concerned parties would need to follow up on Palm Beach County court records since the case continues to progress through the court system.
Conclusion
The case of Jason Ryan Karvois shows the expensive and life-altering repercussions that accompany the decision to drive impaired. A moment of poor judgment due to impaired thinking altered many lives—including ending the life of Foad Makhmoor and perhaps sentencing Karvois to serve an extensive prison sentence.
As this case continues to progress through the courts, it serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities behind the wheel and the serious legal repercussions that can arise from violation of those responsibilities. The resolution of this case will hopefully provide some closure for the victim’s family, while also offering an impactful example of the judicial system’s handling of DUI manslaughter cases in Florida.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available from public sources, including news sources, court records, and other public documents. Some of the details of the case may have changed since the last report. This article is not legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.