Jenia Resha Belt, the 33-year-old Los Angeles woman accused of striking and killing Braun Levi, a teen tennis star from Loyola High School, has entered a not guilty plea. According to FOX 11, Belt is facing charges of murder and driving under the influence (DUI), alongside a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license following her arrest on suspicion of DUI in a previous hit-and-run incident.
Belt's arraignment took place on January 13, during which time she pleaded not guilty to all charges. She is currently held in custody with a bail set at $2 million, as, reported by CBS News Los Angeles. Levi, 18, was fatally injured as he crossed Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach early on May 4, 2025. The collision occurred days before he was expected to graduate, and shortly after the University of Virginia had welcomed him as a commit to their tennis program.
Officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office allege that Belt had a blood alcohol content of 0.19%, which is more than twice the legal limit when the crash occurred. In a statement obtained by FOX 11, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman underscored the broader implications of this tragedy, saying that it was "an unimaginable loss — not only for Braun Levi's family, but for his school, his teammates and an entire community that watched a remarkable young man build a bright future."
The aftermath of Levi's death has seen his mother, Jennifer Levi, take a prominent role in advocating for DUI sentencing reform. The loss of her son sparked a substantial community effort to reshape the legal approach towards impaired driving, lambasting the current system's handling of repeat offenders. Jennifer Levi serves on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving California State Legislative Board, according to details shared by FOX 11. The Levi family has also initiated a civil lawsuit, demanding $200 million in damages to fund the "Live Like Braun Foundation."
Belt's legal battle will continue on March 12, when she is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing. If she is convicted, she could be facing a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. This sobering case lays bare the relentless impact of drunk driving on communities and the dire consequences that can unfold from a moment's negligence.
