A woman accused of driving drunk and killing an 18-year-old tennis standout has been arrested and charged with murder, more than seven months after the fatal crash.
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Jenia Resha Belt, 33, faces one count of murder stemming from a May 4 incident in Manhattan Beach. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim's family, Belt's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, via the New York Post.
Police say Braun Levi, 18, was walking with a friend along a boulevard around 1 a.m. when an Infiniti FX35 allegedly driven by Belt struck him. Levi died at the scene.
Levi was a three-time captain of the Loyola High School tennis team and had committed to play at the University of Virginia following his graduation. His death came just months before he was set to begin his college career.
Court records show Belt's driver's license had been suspended by the California DMV in January 2024. Prosecutors also previously filed drunk driving and hit-and-run charges against her in 2023, according to police.
Levi's parents have filed a $200 million civil lawsuit, saying any proceeds will be directed to the Live Like Braun Foundation, a scholarship fund created in their son's memory. The foundation also aims to support public tennis programs and promote awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
The lawsuit alleges Belt visited a bar in Hermosa Beach and consumed "excessive quantities of alcohol" before driving. It states that she continued drinking despite knowing she would later operate a vehicle.
"Our family has made the decision to file a civil lawsuit against the individual responsible for taking Braun's life," Levi's mother, Jennifer Levi, said in a statement. "This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain. It is grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun."
Belt is currently being held on $2 million bail.
