A high school tennis star in Los Angeles was killed over the weekend after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
Braun Levi, an 18-year-old senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, Calif., was struck by a car and killed early Sunday morning. The Manhattan Beach Police Department issued a statement on Sunday revealing that they received a call at 12:46 a.m. about a traffic incident involving a pedestrian in the 100 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard, according to James Rainey of the Los Angeles Times.
Levi was found lying in the street and transported to a local trauma hospital. Police said he died from his injuries “despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel.”
A 33-year-old Los Angeles woman named Jenia Belt was arrested in connection with the crash. Belt is facing charges that include murder and driving while under the influence.
Though police initially did not initially identify the victim, Loyola principal Jamal Adams sent an email to students and families on Sunday informing them of the tragedy.
“Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family, bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched,” Adams wrote.
The Los Angeles Times also reports that Levi’s family had to relocate to a new home after theirs was burned in the Pacific Palisades wildfires earlier this year.
The Instagram page for Loyola’s athletic programs shared a post on Sunday paying tribute to Levi.
Levi, a four-year varsity starter and captain for Loyola’s tennis team, won the Mission League doubles championship last week. That was his fourth straight league doubles championship. The school described him as “one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history.”
In addition to being a tennis star, Levi also served as a member of the Loyola Student Council and Big Brother program, among other extracurriculars.
