Tennis Star Braun Levi Dead at 18 — Details

Braun Levi, an 18-year-old tennis standout from Loyola High School in Los Angeles, was killed early Sunday morning, May 4, in a suspected DUI-related accident in Manhattan Beach. The tragic news comes shortly after Levi’s latest championship win and ahead of his anticipated graduation, leaving a tight-knit school and wider sports community in mourning.

Loyola recently honored Levi for reaching the top national ranks in boys’ tennis. Additionally, just days before his death, he and his teammate, Cooper Schwartz, won their fourth straight Mission League doubles championship.

A celebratory photo showed the smiling pair proudly holding up four fingers, symbolizing each of their victories. These triumphs came only a few months after the Levi family was displaced by a January fire that destroyed their Pacific Palisades home. Since then, they relocated to South Bay.

Sadly, his promise was cut short last weekend when the Manhattan Beach police reported the arrest of a 33-year-old Los Angeles woman on suspicion of driving under the influence and homicide.

Responding to a call at 12:46 a.m. regarding a pedestrian struck in the 100 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard, police arrived at the scene and discovered the victim lying in the street.

The driver, identified as Jenia Belt, was taken into custody and remained in the Manhattan Beach jail without bail as of Sunday on charges of DUI and murder.

Public records revealed that Belt had a prior DUI arrest on November 25, 2023. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor hit-and-run with property damage in September 2024 through a plea deal; this resulted in the dismissal of the DUI-related charges.

However, the California DMV had already suspended her license on January 18, 2024, because she had allegedly driven with an excessive blood alcohol level.

Her license was still suspended at the time of the crash. Later, authorities confirmed that Levi had been walking with a friend when the collision occurred. A witness told reporters he was ahead of Levi when he heard the crash and turned around to find the teen on the ground.

The accident scene showed a damaged silver Infiniti SUV with a shattered windshield. As of Monday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office had not yet received the formal case submission from the police, and efforts to reach Belt’s public defender from her prior case were unsuccessful.

Loyola Principal Jamal Adams informed students and faculty via email about the tragic news of Levi’s death in a traffic accident that had occurred just hours earlier.

“Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family,” he wrote. He also announced a prayer vigil to be held on campus that evening, “All members of our community are welcome to join us as we gather in unity and remembrance.”

Many of Levi’s stunned classmates, school staff, and friends gathered in Loyola’s Caruso Hall Sunday evening for the candlelight vigil. Hundreds attended in person, while thousands more joined via live stream.

The school’s choir performed “On Eagles Wings” and “I Am Loyola,” and heartfelt words were shared by those closest to Levi. Assistant Principal Paul Jordan referred to him as an “inspiration.” He also noted that Levi was a friend to everyone he knew and that knowing him had made them all better individuals.

Tennis Coach Brian Held, who also taught Levi in AP Economics and Statistics, said in an email, “Braun was the most amazing, all-around leader, whom everyone loved, even his opponents. He was just that type of kid — unique and special. As one of his teachers, I witnessed how he brought joy to everyone.”

Held also revealed that Levi, the tennis team captain for three years, was the player with possibly the most awards and honors in the school’s history.

After the news spread, tributes flooded Levi’s social media pages. One person wrote that anyone who had the opportunity to know Levi was fortunate. They added that he never treated anyone like a stranger and made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

Someone else shared that he made an impact, whether people knew him briefly or for a long time. They also noted that it was impossible to feel sad or bored when Levi was around.

Additionally, photos shared online painted a picture of a vibrant life. Levi wading in lakes, hugging friends on the beach, posing with Adam Sandler, and grinning in a pink suit at a horse racing track.

The Southern California community is in mourning. A video shared by Fox LA reporter Matthew Seedorff showed a tribute set up at the beach in Levi’s memory.

His friend Erik Logan Toppenberg described him as “a force of nature wrapped in kindness, energy, and pure light.” He added, “He didn’t just walk into a room — he ignited it.”

Maccabi USA posted a tribute to the late teen, noting that Levi competed in the 2022 Maccabiah in Israel and supported his sister, Adelle, who played on the U18 Girls Soccer team. The group remembered Levi as a team captain, a student council leader, a Big Brother mentor, and a cherished member of their sports family.

The Loyola community is still healing from a similar loss. In April 2023, Ryan Times, a senior baseball player, died after being struck by a train during spring break. The tragedy of Levi’s death one year later has reopened fresh wounds.

Levi had been preparing to attend the University of Virginia in the fall. Loyola’s athletics department shared a tribute on Instagram that read, “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.”

Schwartz, his longtime tennis partner and best friend, penned a touching post that included a photo of the two holding trophies as younger teens.

He said they would always remember and celebrate Levi, and his actions would be the source of funny stories. He also wrote about the sadness of not being able to hug him. In his view, regardless of whether Levi had lived for 18 years or a much longer time, no one could have had a better life.

He reflected on their bond during shared hardships and wrote, “You are truly my favorite story to tell and the brother I needed when our siblings were in college and our houses burned.” Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to Levi’s parents, “You couldn’t have raised him any better because you raised him to be just like yourself.”

Levi’s sister, Adelle, shared her own tribute, “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. You are deeply loved, and words can’t begin to express how much you’ll be missed.”

Levi is survived by his parents, Jennifer and Daniel, and his sister. Even though his life was short, it profoundly impacted everyone he knew. This tragedy is just one more reminder to live life to the fullest.

At this time, we offer our sincere condolences to all those who loved Levi.