A suspected drunk driver is behind bars after allegedly killing a California high school tennis star over the weekend.
Braun Levi, who recently moved to Manhattan Beach due to his family losing their home in the Palisades Fire, was tragically hit and killed by Jenia Belt, 33 years old, around 1 a.m. on Sunday. The Los Angeles Times reported that Levi was walking with a friend on Sepulveda Boulevard when the incident occurred, as confirmed by the Manhattan Beach police.
Despite attempts to save his life, Levi could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to a news release by the Manhattan Beach Police Department on Sunday. Jenia Belt, the driver responsible for the accident, was arrested for felony DUI and murder.
Jenia Belt had prior DUI charges from an incident in November 2023, which had rendered her ineligible to drive, as per records from the Los Angeles County Superior Court and information disclosed to The Times.
In the 2023 incident, she was charged with driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or refusing a chemical test, and hit and run with property damage.
In September 2024, she entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor count of hit and run with property damage. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dismissed the DUI-related charges. Court records indicated that she received a one-year probation sentence and was ordered to pay restitution.
As a senior at Loyola High School, Levi climbed the national tennis rankings, KNBC reports. Friends and classmates held a prayer vigil on campus Sunday night, where they remembered him as committed to doing the right thing as both a player and teammate, according to the outlet.
Belt remains behind bars without bail.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Levi Braun/Family Handout]
