by Manhattan Beach, California — Just months after escaping the devastation of the Palisades Fire, an 18-year-old high school tennis standout who had rebuilt his life in the South Bay was killed in a late-night crash that prosecutors now say amounted to murder.
Braun Levi, a senior at Loyola High School of Los Angeles, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Sepulveda Boulevard just before 1 a.m. on May 4, according to police. This week, Los Angeles County prosecutors announced second-degree murder charges against the alleged driver, citing intoxication, a suspended license, and the severity of the incident.
Prosecutors File Murder and Manslaughter Charges
Jenia Resha Belt, 33, was formally charged on December 23 with second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended or revoked license due to a prior DUI, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Court records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times allege Belt’s blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. Prosecutors also allege her license was already suspended following an earlier DUI arrest.
Belt is currently being held on $2 million bail, with her arraignment scheduled for January 13.
Fatal Crash on Sepulveda Boulevard
According to a press release from the Manhattan Beach Police Department, officers responded to the scene around 1 a.m. and found Levi lying in the roadway next to a vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators have not publicly released additional details about the moments leading up to the collision, but authorities say the case remains active as it moves through the court system.
A Teen Already Rebuilding After Disaster
Levi’s death came during a period of rebuilding for his family. Just months earlier, they had lost their home in the Palisades Fire, forcing them to relocate to the South Bay area.
Despite the upheaval, school officials say Levi responded to hardship by helping others.
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Jamal Adams, principal and president-elect of Loyola High School of Los Angeles, previously said Levi played a key role in supporting fellow students displaced by the wildfires. He helped create a peer-to-peer counseling space and worked with classmates and administrators to organize an overnight retreat for affected students.
“He was a shining example of caring for other people — even in the midst of going through his own personal situation,” Adams said.
Remembered as a Leader and Athlete
Friends, family, and school officials described Levi as someone who consistently put others first. A dedicated student-athlete, he was also preparing for his next chapter, having planned to attend the University of Virginia beginning in September.
His death sent shockwaves through the Loyola High School community and beyond, sparking renewed conversations about impaired driving and accountability.
Family Launches Foundation in His Name
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Levi’s parents launched the Live Like Braun Foundation, aiming to turn grief into action. The foundation focuses on scholarships, repairing and building public tennis facilities, and raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
“Braun Levi was an extraordinary soul whose radiant energy touched everyone who knew him,” the foundation’s website states.
In November, the family also filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit, according to the Los Angeles Times, seeking accountability for the circumstances surrounding Levi’s death.
Case Draws Attention to DUI Consequences
Legal experts note that second-degree murder charges in DUI cases are typically reserved for situations involving extreme recklessness, prior DUI history, or clear disregard for human life. Prosecutors allege those elements are present in this case.
As the legal process unfolds, Levi’s story has become a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be altered — and ended — by impaired driving.
What do you think about prosecutors pursuing murder charges in DUI cases like this one? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
