Latest news with #LoyolaHighSchool
CBS News
10-05-2025
- CBS News
Manhattan Beach paddle out set for Loyola High School teen killed by alleged drunk driver
Family and friends of Braun Levi will honor his life Saturday morning with a Manhattan Beach paddle out. The 18-year-old Loyola High School senior was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver May 4, as he was walking along Sepulveda Boulevard with a friend. The high school tennis star was set to graduate next month. An Instagram post from the school's athletic department said that he was a team captain and four-year starter for their tennis team and had "cemented himself as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history." Levi's family recently moved to the area after losing their home in the Palisades Fire. The paddle out takes place at 10 a.m. at First Street in Manhattan Beach. In lieu of flowers, Levi's family requests donations to the "Live Like Braun" Scholarship Fund. To donate, click here, and note Braun's name in the gift designation field. The driver, Jenia Belt, 33, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. She was also driving on a license suspended since January 2024. "Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family, bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched," LHS Principal Jamal K. Adams said in a statement.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
High school tennis star killed in 'vehicular accident,' reportedly with drunken driver
A California high school tennis star just a month away from graduation was reportedly killed by a suspected drunken driver on May 4, according to police and multiple local reports. The Manhattan Beach Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to a report of a traffic collision between a car and pedestrian on Sepulveda Boulevard in the early morning hours of May 4. Upon arrival, officers found a victim lying in the street. Life-saving medical efforts were attempted, but the victim succumbed to their injuries, the release said. Braun Levi, an 18-year-old high school senior, died in the accident, according to multiple local outlets, including The Los Angeles Times and ABC7. Levi's school, Loyola High School, said on its website May 6 that the 18-year-old "tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident Saturday night." The Manhattan Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Levi was 'one of the most accomplished student-athletes,' school says Levi attended Loyola High School, where he was set to graduate early next month, the school said. "Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family, bringing light, joy and inspiration to everyone he touched," Loyola High School said. Loyola Athletics said on social media that Levi was a star tennis player for the school and had just won his fourth consecutive league championship on April 29. "Levi, 18, was a four-year Varsity starter for Loyola Tennis and cemented himself as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history," the post said. Loyola Athletics also described Levi as "the ultimate team captain" and a "true leader." "His lovable personality, infectious smile, and boundless energy made him a beloved member of the Loyola community," the post said. Start your day informed: Sign up for USA TODAY's Daily Briefing newsletter. Driver in fatal traffic collision charged with DUI The Manhattan Beach Police Department said in a press release that the driver of the vehicle in the May 4 fatal traffic collision was 33-year-old Jenia Belt of Los Angeles. Belt was arrested and charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of murder, police said. Police said the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information should contact Officer Chasen Gaunt at 310-802-5098. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 18-year-old tennis star Braun Levi reportedly killed by drunken driver
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Appalling secret of LA woman who 'killed high school senior', 18, months after his family's home burned down
A Los Angeles drunk driver accused of running over and killing an 18-year-old high school student has a suspended license from a previous DUI offense. Jenia Belt, 33, was arrested on Sunday at around 12:45am for allegedly mowing down Loyola High School tennis star Braun Levi, whose family lost their home in the Palisades Fire just months before. Manhattan Beach Police booked Belt on suspicion of homicide and DUI. She is being held in county jail without bond as investigators probe Levi's heartbreaking death. Court records reveal this was not Belt's first run-in with the law, as she was arrested for drunk driving about two years ago. Los Angeles County Superior Court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times about the November 2023 incident show that Belt was charged with having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher. She was also charged with either driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or refusing to take a chemical test, as well as hit and run with property damage. Belt's DUI charges connected to the incident were dropped in a plea deal she entered in September 2024. She pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor count of hit and run with property damage. Belt's car (pictured in front of her home prior to the incident) was seen with a shattered windshield and heavy front damage after the crash The alleged killer was sentenced to a year of probation and had to pay restitution, the LA Times reported. The 2023 crash resulted in the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspending her driver's license in January 2024. She was still barred from driving when she allegedly hit Levi. Police rushed to the gut-wrenching scene on Sunday, finding Levi lying unconscious in the street after he was run over while walking with his friends. He was taken to a local hospital and succumbed to his critical injuries despite life-saving efforts. Crime scene footage obtained by KTLA 5 showed the harrowing aftermath, including Belt's car's shattered windshield behind yellow crime scene tape. The DUI suspect was seen in handcuffs as an officer walked her over to a cop car. 'I knew right away it was very bad because I have gotten a call, unfortunately, in the past, when they say "everything is fine, your child is fine,"' Levi's mother, Jennifer Levi, told FOX 11 about the call she received after the crash. 'But they didn't say that, and I knew right away it was bad. 'An innocent, wonderful, promising life was just robbed of us because someone made a really bad decision that they didn't have to.' The all-boys Catholic high school senior was set to attend the University of Virginia in the fall. Loyola High School is one of the top-ranked Jesuit academic institutions in Los Angeles. The yearly tuition is roughly $27,000, according to the school's website. Levi was the captain of the varsity tennis team and 'one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history,' according at statement from the school's athletics department. He and his tennis partner, Cooper Schwartz, had won the Mission League doubles championship just days before he was killed. This was the star athlete's fourth big win in a row. The tight-knit Loyola community has been grappling with his tragic death, with school staff and Levi's peers sharing heartbreaking tributes to honor him. 'Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family,' Loyola Principal Jamal Adams wrote in an email to the school's families to announce Levi's passing, the Los Angeles Times reported. The crash site has been converted into a memorial for the standout teen, adorned with flowers and pictures left by tearful loved ones. Crowley Sullivan, one of Levi's close friends, described him as outgoing and ambitious. 'I don't even know what's to say right now. You are my friend, my brother, my family, but more importantly, you are a way of life,' Sullivan wrote on Instagram. 'You pushed every single day of your life to make it the best day ever. You impacted every single person you interacted with in such a positive and unique way that you truly made a difference in this world.' Ole Miss Football Head Coach Lane Kiffin's daughter, Presley Kiffin, posted photos of Levi on her social media, writing: 'To the best heart and soul. We love you always and forever.' Levi's own social media accounts told the story of the vibrant life he led - featuring a selfie with Adam Sandler and smiling photos with his friends and teammates. 'Everybody says, "Oh, he's the tennis player and a smart kid," but he was way more than that,' his father, Daniel Levi, told FOX 11. 'His personality was off the charts. He was always up to something, everybody loved him.' Levi's sister, Adelle Levi, spoke out about her little brother's death in a tear-jerking message about how much she appreciated their time together. 'I will spend the rest of my life striving to live with the same heart, strength, and kindness that you've shown these past 19 years,' she wrote. 'You are deeply loved, and words can't begin to express how much you'll be missed.' This unimaginable loss comes after the Levi family's Pacific Palisades home was burned down during January wildfires that wreaked havoc on the wealthy Los Angeles community. The Palisades fire ravaged roughly 6,800 structures on its own. Combined with the devastation caused by the simultaneously burning Eaton Fire, about 16,000 buildings were wrecked. Since being forced out of their gorgeous home, the family has relocated to the South Bay, the LA Times reported.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Driver accused of killing teen in Manhattan Beach crash has previous DUI arrest
Jenia Belt, the 33-year-old alleged DUI driver accused of killing Loyola High School senior Braun Levi, was reportedly driving on a license suspended for a previous drunk-driving arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported. The 33-year-old woman was arrested May 4 on suspicion of DUI and homicide after reportedly striking and killing the teen at around 12:45 a.m. near the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Ronda Drive in Manhattan Beach. When first responders arrived, Levi was lying in the street next to Belt's silver Infiniti SUV. He was rushed by ambulance to the hospital where officials with the Manhattan Beach Police Department said he succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased. According to The Times, Belt's license was suspended by the state Department of Motor Vehicles in Jan. 2024 for DUI-related charge in Nov. 2023. The 33-year-old pleaded no contest to misdemeanor hit-and-run with property damage. In a plea deal with prosecutors, the DUI-related charges were dropped, she was ordered to pay restitution and sentenced to a year of probation. DMV records indicate that her license remains suspended, The Times reported. Levi, whose family had just lost their home in the Palisades Fire, was a three-year captain of the Loyola High School tennis team and in April had won his fourth consecutive league championship. He was set to attend the University of Virginia after graduation. Kidnapping attempt prompts lockdown of L.A. elementary school Students, faculty, friends and loved ones packed Caruso Hall at Loyola High School for a prayer vigil Sunday evening and to remember the standout teen. 'He was a friend to all who knew him,' Assistant Principal Paul Jordan told the assembled mourners, according to The Times. 'Braun loved his family, he loved Loyola, he loved his Palisades community, and he loved all of you.' As of Monday, Manhattan Beach police had not yet presented the case to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office. Belt remains in custody without bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
High school senior struck and killed by alleged drunk driver with a suspended license in Manhattan Beach
A high school senior has been identified as the victim of a deadly crash in Manhattan Beach over the weekend, and police say that the driver was allegedly drunk. Braun Levi, 18, was walking along the 100 block of Sepulveda Boulevard with a friend at around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday morning when he was struck by a car being driven by 33-year-old Los Angeles woman Jenia Belt, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Levi was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He was identified by Loyola High School administrators late Sunday. "It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Braun Levi, Class of 2025, who tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident last night," said a statement from LHS Principal Jamal K. Adams. "Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family, bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched." He was supposed to graduate from LHS in just two weeks, they said. An Instagram post from the school's athletic department said that he was a team captain and four-year starter for their tennis team and had "cemented himself as one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history." Family and friends gathered on Sunday evening to honor Braun with a vigil, where dozens of flowers and photos adorned a corner of the intersection where the deadly crash happened. The flow of mourners continued throughout the day Monday. They left photos and handwritten notes with messages of remembrance for their colleague. "They're all just heartbroken," said one woman at the memorial. "He was a light, such a friendly, smart, nice, nice kid. Their hearts are broken." CBS News Los Angeles learned that Levi's family recently moved to the area after losing their home in the Palisades Fire. That didn't stop him from using his positive outlook to help those around him. "He was instrumental in helping build peer-to-peer counseling for other young people that lost their homes," Principal Adams said. "And then was instrumental with some of our administrators in putting together an overnight retreat." Belt was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and on Monday the California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that she was driving on a license suspended since January 2024. Anyone who has more information is asked to contact MBPD at (310) 802-5098.
