The automobile got here careening down Sepulveda Boulevard, collided into Braun Levi and despatched the Loyola Excessive College tennis star flying by way of the air earlier than he slammed into the asphalt.
Levi was a neighborhood legend, a nationally ranked tennis participant with 4 Mission League doubles championships beneath his belt and a spot on the College of Virginia awaiting him within the fall.
However only one month earlier than commencement, his shiny future was minimize brief.
The girl who allegedly struck him round 12:46 a.m. on Could 4 had a blood alcohol degree of practically twice the authorized restrict and was driving on a suspended license from a previous DUI arrest, in keeping with courtroom information. Levi was transported to a hospital the place he was pronounced useless.
Within the months which have adopted the lethal collision, Levi’s mother and father have funneled their grief into advocacy — launching the Stay Like Braun Basis to lift cash for scholarships and public tennis facilities and consciousness concerning the risks of impaired driving.
Now, they’ve filed a wrongful dying lawsuit towards the alleged drunk driver, Jenia Resha Belt, 33, and are in search of $200,000 in damages for the Stay Like Braun Basis. Belt couldn’t be instantly reached for remark.
“Our household has made the choice to file a civil lawsuit towards the person accountable for taking Braun’s life,” his mom, Jennifer Levi, stated in an announcement. “This isn’t a choice rooted in anger, vengeance, or monetary achieve. It’s a determination grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love now we have for Braun.”
Belt was arrested by Manhattan Seashore police on the website of the crash, which occurred round 12:46 a.m. close to the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and 2nd Road.
She was launched from custody on June 4, in keeping with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Division’s reserving log. Thus far no fees have been filed towards her.
“Specialised prosecutors have been working with investigators from the start and are persevering with to observe the investigation,” a spokesman with the L.A. County district lawyer’s workplace stated Tuesday afternoon. “No case has but been formally offered.”
Earlier than moving into the automobile, Belt had consumed “extreme portions of alcohol” at a bar in Hermosa seaside, the criticism alleges. 4 passengers contained in the automobile fled the world after the collision.
“Regardless of figuring out and understanding the grave risks related to driving a automobile whereas drunk, Defendant Belt willfully selected to function the topic automobile whereas intoxicated at an unsafe and extreme charge of pace,” the criticism states.
Los Angeles County Superior Court docket information present that Belt had beforehand been charged with DUI stemming from an incident on Nov. 25, 2023, and isn’t permitted to be behind the wheel, in keeping with information supplied to The Instances by the state Division of Motor Autos.
Instances workers writers Hannah Fry and James Rainey contributed to this report
