A repeat drunk driver has finally been taken into custody and charged with murder after the fatal May 4 crash that killed 18‑year‑old tennis star Braun Levi.
Jenia Resha Belt, a 33‑year‑old resident of Manhattan Beach, is now facing a single murder count. The wrongful‑death lawsuit filed by the Levi family says Belt’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the collision was more than twice the legal limit.
Levi was a three‑time captain of the Loyola High School tennis team, and he was walking down a boulevard with a friend around 1 a.m. on the night of the incident. The Infiniti FX‑35, allegedly driven by Belt, struck him, sending the young athlete down the road where he sustained catastrophic injuries.
Paramedics hauled him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Levin family, who had recently moved to Manhattan Beach after their home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, are now pursuing civil action.
Belt’s legal troubles extend beyond the May crash. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, her license was suspended in January 2024. In addition, LA County prosecutors have charged her with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended or revoked license.
The civil suit alleges that Belt had gone to a bar in Hermosa Beach, drank “excessive quantities of alcohol,” and chose to drive afterward. The lawsuit states that Belt voluntarily consumed alcoholic beverages to the point of intoxication, fully aware that she was planning to operate a vehicle.
“Our family has made the decision to file a civil lawsuit against the individual responsible for taking Braun’s life,” Jennifer Levi said. “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.”
Proceeds from the lawsuit, if successful, would be directed to the “Live Like Braun Foundation,” a scholarship fund established by the Levi family to support public tennis centers and raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Belt is currently being held on a $2 million bail bond while the case proceeds.
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