The family of 18-year-old tennis player Braun Levi has filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit after he was struck and killed while crossing Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach on May 4. The driver, 33-year-old Jenia Resha Belt, was arrested at the scene; records indicate a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and a suspended license. No criminal charges have been filed yet as prosecutors continue to review the case. The family plans to use proceeds to fund scholarships, public tennis centers and impaired-driving awareness through the Live Like Braun Foundation.
Family of 18‑Year‑Old Tennis Star Files $200M Wrongful Death Suit After Alleged DUI Fatality
The family of 18-year-old tennis player Braun Levi has filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit after he was struck and killed while crossing Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach on May 4. The driver, 33-year-old Jenia Resha Belt, was arrested at the scene; records indicate a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and a suspended license. No criminal charges have been filed yet as prosecutors continue to review the case. The family plans to use proceeds to fund scholarships, public tennis centers and impaired-driving awareness through the Live Like Braun Foundation.
06:02 AM, 11/20/2025Society
The family of 18-year-old tennis standout Braun Levi has filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit against the driver accused of fatally striking him in Manhattan Beach on May 4.
What happened
Shortly before 1 a.m. on May 4, Braun Levi was struck while crossing Sepulveda Boulevard. Officers arriving at the scene found Levi in the roadway next to a vehicle; he was transported to a hospital and later died of his injuries.
Allegations and legal status
The driver, 33-year-old Jenia Resha Belt, was arrested at the scene. Court records indicate Belt had a reported blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and was driving on a license suspended after a prior DUI arrest. Belt was released from custody about a month later, on June 4. As of the latest updates, no criminal charges have been filed and specialized prosecutors are continuing to review the investigation.
"Our family has made the decision to file a civil lawsuit against the individual responsible for taking Braun’s life. This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain. It is a decision grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun." — Jennifer Levi, Braun's mother
Family response and aims of the lawsuit
The family says the lawsuit is intended to hold the alleged offender accountable and to spur broader change in the fight against impaired driving. Their attorney described the defendant as a repeat offender who understood the risks of driving under the influence and emphasized the family's goal of promoting legal reform to prevent similar tragedies.
Proceeds from the civil suit will support the Live Like Braun Foundation, which the family says will fund scholarships, build and maintain public tennis centers, and raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
About Braun Levi
Braun was a nationally ranked high school tennis player who had committed to play at the University of Virginia. His family had recently relocated to the South Bay after losing their home in the Palisades during winter wildfires.
The lawsuit seeks both accountability and to turn the family's loss into programs and public-safety efforts aimed at protecting others from impaired-driving tragedies.