Tennis star weeks from graduation killed by accused drunk driver, CA police say
A high school tennis star died weeks from graduation after California police say he was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
Manhattan Beach Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian just before 1 a.m. Sunday, May 4, the department said in a Facebook post.
Despite efforts to save the pedestrian, identified by multiple news reports as Braun Levi, 18, he died from his injuries at a hospital, police said.
The driver, identified as Jenia Belt, 33, of Los Angeles, was arrested on felony counts of DUI and murder, according to police. She is being held without bail, jail records show.
Loyola High School Principal Jamal K. Adams shared news of Levi's death with 'profound sadness,' according to a statement obtained by KCAL.
'Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family, bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched,' Adams said, according to the news outlet.
The school's assistant principal called Levi's death an 'unthinkable tragedy' during a prayer service, the Manhattan Beach News reported.
'Braun was a friend and an inspiration to me,' Paul Jordan said, the outlet reported. 'He was a friend to all who knew him, and we are all better for having known him. Braun loved his family, he loved Loyola, he loved his Palisades community, and he loved all of you, his fellow cubs.'
Jordan noted Levi 'was and is alive all across this campus,' adding that now is the time to tell his stories, a video of the service shows.
'For example, one of my favorites is in March when Braun decided on a whim to run the LA Marathon with no training,' Jordan said, bringing about laughter in the solemn room.
Levi, who recently moved to the South Bay after his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire, served as his high school's tennis captain for three years, The Los Angeles Times reported.
In a Facebook post, Loyola Athletics called the high school senior 'one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history, having just won his 4th consecutive league championship on April 29.'
Brian Held, coach of the varsity tennis team, told The Los Angeles Times that Levi was 'probably the most decorated player to ever play for the school.'
'We are all stunned, devastated and heartbroken with this tragedy,' Held said in an email to the newspaper. 'Braun was the most amazing, all-around leader, whom everyone loved, even his opponents. He was just that type of kid — unique and special.'
Others echoed the sentiment, including a friend on Instagram, who called Levi a 'legend.'
'Whether you were lucky enough to cross paths with him for an hour or a lifetime, he left an impression,' the friend wrote. 'It was impossible to be sad or bored whenever Braun was around, and his gift for lifting those around him was truly singular.'
Manhattan Beach is about a 20-mile drive southwest from Los Angeles.
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