The suspect in the Manhattan Beach collision that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Braun Levi was taken into custody on Tuesday and formally charged with second-degree murder. She will be arraigned today.

Although the accident occurred in May, the event had been under investigation by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office ever since, and the suspect, Jenia Resha Belt, 33, had not been formally charged until this past week. She had been released from jail on June 4, a month after the crash. 

In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Belt was hit with charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.

According to a press release from the Manhattan Beach Police Department:

On May 4, 2025, at approximately 12:46 a.m., Jenia Resha Belt was allegedly involved in a traffic collision on Sepulveda Boulevard that resulted in a pedestrian fatality. Manhattan Beach Department Traffic Officers investigated the circumstances surrounding this collision and submitted their findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LADA).

On December 23, 2025, Jenia Belt was taken into custody by LADA Investigators and booked into the Manhattan Beach Police Department Jail. She was charged with one felony count of second-degree murder, one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked for driving with specified blood alcohol level. She is being held on $2 million bail.

Collision Occurred on Sepulveda 

On May 4, 18-year-old Braun Levi was crossing Sepulveda Boulevard near South 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach when he was violently struck by a silver Infiniti FX35 allegedly driven by Belt. The force of the impact propelled Braun's body down the roadway, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Manhattan Beach Fire Department responded to the collision and transported him to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center for treatment. Despite life-saving measures, Braun succumbed to his injuries.

At the scene, the defendant reportedly admitted to officers that she had been driving the vehicle and had consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel. After failing a field sobriety test, a blood-alcohol test revealed that her blood alcohol content was 0.19%, more than twice the legal limit. 

A records check also revealed her driver's license had been suspended in 2024 as part of plea deal for a misdemeanor hit-and-run that occurred in November 2023. The related DUI charge was dismissed, while Belt pleaded no-contest on the hit and run, for which she was ordered to pay restitution and to remain on probation for one year. 

Parents Recently Filed $200 Million Lawsuit Against Suspect

Last month, Levi's parents filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Belt.

"This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain. It is a decision grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun," said Jennifer Levi, Braun's mother, in a statement.

The Levi family is seeking $200 million in damages, as well as punitive damages, in the case. All proceeds from the lawsuit will benefit the Live Like Braun Foundation, which was created to celebrate and honor their son and to raise awareness against the dangers of impaired driving. Jennifer Levi, a Mothers Against Drunk Driving California State Legislative Board member and an advocate for California DUI Sentencing Reform, has made it her mission to support DUI prevention and awareness.

Jennifer and Daniel Levi are represented in the matter by attorneys Spencer Lucas, Bobby Reagan, and Alec Clark of Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP. 

“As a repeat offender, Jenia Belt knew the inherent risks of driving under the influence, and she must be held accountable for her negligence. Not only has she stolen the life of an incredible young man, but she has forever changed the lives of those who loved him," said attorney Spencer Lucas in a statement. "We stand with the Levi family in seeking justice for Braun and creating lasting change by reforming California's DUI laws to prevent tragedies from impaired driving."

The Levi family was new to the South Bay, having moved here after losing their home to the Palisades fire. Following their move, Braun and a classmate established a peer-to-peer counseling group for other students displaced by the fires. 

Braun, an accomplished Loyola High School athlete, had won four consecutive tennis league championships, including three while serving as team captain. Just weeks from high school graduation at the time of his death, Braun had been admitted to the University of Virginia to play tennis.

In what has been nothing short of a tragic year, the city has mourned the deaths of three 18-year-old young men this year, including Mira Costa senior Ford Savela, who was killed in by a hit-and-run driver on Sepulveda in January, and Ryan James, a 2025 Mira Costa graduate who succumbed to an epileptic seizure in October, just after starting his freshman year at UCLA.