Prosecutors allege the driver was intoxicated and driving on a suspended license.
The woman accused of driving drunk when she fatally struck Loyola High School senior and beloved tennis star Braun Levi entered a not-guilty plea on Tuesday to murder and other felony charges stemming from the collision.
Jenia Resha Belt, 33, appeared briefly in court and pleaded not guilty to all counts related to the death of the 18-year-old student, who was weeks away from graduation. She remains in custody on $2 million bail, with her next court date scheduled for March 12.
The crash occurred on May 4, 2025, around 12:46 a.m., near 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach. Authorities said Levi was crossing the street when he was hit by a silver Infiniti FX35 driven by Belt. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Belt was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash, with a blood alcohol concentration measured at 0.19%, more than twice the legal limit. Prosecutors also allege she was driving on a suspended license following a prior DUI arrest.
Belt faces multiple felony counts, including second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving on a suspended license. If convicted as charged, she could be sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison.
In addition to the criminal case, a civil lawsuit filed by Levi’s parents is moving forward. The family is seeking $200 million in damages and has requested a jury trial, according to court records. Braun Levi was just a few months away from attending college at the University of Virginia when he tragically died.
The Levi family founded the Live Like Braun Foundation to “keep Braun’s legacy alive through awareness-raising and grant-making in three areas – scholarships, repair and building of public tennis centers, and raising awareness about impaired driving risks.” Jennifer Levi is a Mothers Against Drunk Driving California State Legislative Board Member and an Advocate for California DUI Sentencing Reform.
The Levi family lost their home in the Palisades Fire.
