An allegedly drunk driver who hit and killed high school tennis star Braun Levi in Manhattan Beach was charged with murder Tuesday, authorities said.
Jenia Resha Belt, 33, of Los Angeles, also faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license, said Pamela Johnson, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Around 12:46 a.m. on May 4, Belt hit Braun, who was walking near Sepulveda Boulevard and 2nd Street, authorities said.
Belt, who was arrested at the scene, had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and was driving with a suspended license due to a previous DUI arrest, according to court records. Four occupants of the vehicle fled the scene after the collision.
Belt was released in June and arrested again months later.
Braun's parents, who lost their home in the Palisades fire and moved to the South Bay, filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit against Belt in November.
Their son was a standout at Loyola High School and was scheduled to play tennis at the University of Virginia. The Levis founded the Live Like Braun Foundation in his memory.
Belt is in custody on $2 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, Johnson said.
Los Angeles County District. Lawyer. Nathan Hochman and Jennifer Levi, Braun's mother, plan to discuss the charges at a news conference Monday.
Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.
