Latest news with #ManhattanBeachPoliceDepartment
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
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.
Fox News
05-05-2025
- Fox News
Southern California high school tennis star killed by alleged drunk driver weeks before graduation
A high school student in Southern California was killed on Sunday after a suspected drunk driver hit him, according to police. The Manhattan Beach Police Department said that officers arrested 33-year-old Jenia Belt on suspicion of DUI and murder at 12:46 a.m. on Sunday, after an individual was found lying in the street next to a car. According to Fox 11, the victim was identified as Braun Levi, an 18-year-old student at Loyola High School who was just one month away from graduation. He had planned to attend the University of Virginia after graduation. Police are holding Belt without bail. Levi was a senior at Loyola High School, where he was set to graduate in June. He was a four-year varsity starter on the high school tennis team and is considered "one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history" after winning a league championship on April 29, according to a social media post by the Catholic Jesuit school. The high school senior, in addition to his participation on the tennis team, was also an ultimate team captain, student council member, volleyball team manager, and more. The Loyola High School athletics department paid tribute to Levi in a social media post on Sunday. "We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Loyola High School senior, Braun Levi," the school's athletics department wrote. "His lovable personality, infectious smile, and boundless energy made him a beloved member of the Loyola community. He was a true Man for and With Others, and we will miss him dearly. We love you, Braun." Braun's death comes at a time when his parents recently lost their home in the Palisades fire, forcing them to relocate to South Bay, according to the Los Angeles Times. Braun's friends showered his Instagram page with touching messages after he died. "Anyone who got to know you knows how lucky they are. You never met a stranger, and left an impact on everyone you met. I'm going to live and love as big as you every day. You watch the fam from heaven, and I'll keep an eye on them down here. Shotgun one for me up in heaven. Love you Brauny," one person wrote. Loyola High School principal Jamal Adams spoke highly of Braun in a message to staff and students Sunday. "Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family…bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched," Adams wrote. A prayer vigil was held on Sunday evening in remembrance of Braun.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Beloved high school senior killed by rampaging female drunk driver in a crop top
A California high school tennis player was killed by a drunk driver just months after his family's home was scorched and destroyed by the Los Angeles Palisades Fire. Braun Levi, 18, was struck dead while crossing the street with a friend at around 12:45am on Sunday in Manhattan Beach. Police rushed to the scene, finding the Loyola High School student lying lifeless in the street. Levi was taken to a local hospital and succumbed to his critical injuries despite live-saving efforts. The alleged reckless driver, Jenia Belt, 33, of Los Angeles, was booked on suspicion of DUI and homicide, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Belt was arrested at the scene fatal crash and taken into custody at Manhattan Beach County Jail, where is being held without bail. Crime scene footage obtained by KTLA 5 showed the harrowing aftermath, including Belt's car's shattered windshield behind yellow crime scene tape. The crop top-wearing suspect was seen in handcuffs as police dragged her into a cop car. The incident is under ongoing investigation. The tight-knit Loyola community has been grappling with his tragic death, with school staff and peers sharing heartbreaking tributes to honor Levi (pictured) 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. Levi's sister, Adelle Levi (right), has spoken out about her little brother's death in a tear-jerking message about how much she appreciated their time together '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 lead - featuring a selfie with Adam Sandler and several smiling photos with his friends and teammates. Levi's sister, Adelle Levi, has spoken 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. Levi's own social media accounts told the story of the vibrant life he lead - featuring a selfie with Adam Sandler (pictured) and several smiling photos with his friends and teammates According to Zillow estimates, the home's estimated value was $3.2 million to $4.1 million. 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
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police investigating 2nd bizarre South Bay robbery involving jewelry swapping
Police in Manhattan Beach are investigating a second bizarre robbery involving fake jewelry being placed on a person as the victim's real jewelry is taken by thieves. This latest 'distraction theft,' as described by the Manhattan Beach Police Department, happened on March 20, around 1:45 p.m. in the area of Polliwog Park. The crime was detailed in the Police Department's monthly crime report released last Friday. Police say the unidentified victim was approached by multiple suspects who 'placed jewelry' on them and, while doing so, removed the victim's own jewelry and took off. Details about this particular crime are limited, but the details and methodology are similar to another robbery that happened a month earlier in the city. In that robbery, a woman was approached by a man in a vehicle who asked her for directions. The driver, described as a Middle Eastern man in his 30s or 40s, handed the victim his cell phone and asked her to translate because his English wasn't very good. After translating and handing the phone back, the driver grabbed her by the wrist and tried to slip a gold ring onto her finger and two gold chains around her neck. As she pulled away, a passenger, a Middle Eastern woman of similar age with black hair, reached out of the back window and grabbed the victim by the chain she was already wearing, ripping it off her neck. The victim fought back and held onto her own jewelry before the driver sped off and dragged her to the ground. She suffered only scrapes and bruises, police said at the time. The fake jewelry was recovered to be tested for DNA, and police were canvassing the area in search of security footage. It was not explicitly stated if these two robberies were related, nor has any additional information been released about the March robbery investigation. Still, the crimes share undeniable similarities, and both are being treated as serious robberies. Anyone with information about the suspects involved is urged to contact the Manhattan Beach Police Department at 310-545-4566. Security footage can be emailed directly to detectives at eyewitness@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
