Authorities charged 33-year-old Jenia Resha Belt with second-degree murder and related counts after 18-year-old Braun Levi was struck on Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach on May 4 and later died. Court records allege Belt's blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit and that her license was suspended after a prior DUI. Levi, a Loyola High School senior who had lost his family home in the Palisades Fire, inspired classmates through peer counseling efforts; his parents established the Live Like Braun Foundation and later filed a $200 million wrongful-death suit. Belt is held on $2 million bail with an arraignment scheduled for Jan. 13.
Suspected Drunk Driver Charged With Murder In Death Of Teen Tennis Star Who Lost Home In Palisades Fire
Braun Levi/InstagramBraun Levi
Prosecutors have charged 33-year-old Jenia Resha Belt with second-degree murder and additional counts after 18-year-old high school tennis standout Braun Levi was struck by a vehicle and later died from his injuries.
What Happened
According to a Manhattan Beach Police Department statement, the collision occurred on Sepulveda Boulevard just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 4. Officers arriving at the scene found Levi lying in the roadway next to a vehicle; he was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries.
Charges And Allegations
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on Dec. 23 that Belt faces second-degree murder, one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and a misdemeanor charge for driving when privilege was suspended or revoked for driving with a specified blood alcohol level. Court records obtained by the Los Angeles Times allege Belt's blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit and that her license had been suspended following a prior DUI arrest. Belt is in custody on $2 million bail; her arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 13.
Loyola High SchoolBraun Levi
Levi's Life And Legacy
Levi, an 18-year-old senior at Loyola High School of Los Angeles, had planned to enroll at the University of Virginia. Only months before the crash, his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire and relocated to the South Bay. School officials say Levi became a leader among displaced students, helping create a peer counseling space and organizing an overnight retreat for classmates affected by the wildfires.
He was a shining example of caring for other people — even in the midst of going through his own personal situation. — Jamal Adams, Principal and President-elect, Loyola High School of Los Angeles
After his death, Levi's parents launched the Live Like Braun Foundation to provide scholarships, repair and build public tennis facilities, and raise awareness about impaired driving. In November the family filed a $200 million wrongful-death lawsuit related to the crash, according to media reports.
Next Steps
The case remains pending. Prosecutors contend the charges reflect the severity of the alleged conduct; Belt is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Authorities and court filings are the primary sources for the allegations described here.
