A star high school tennis player who was forced to relocate after his family’s home burned down in the Palisades Fire was run down and killed by a suspected drunk driver, according to reports and authorities.
Braun Levi, 18, was fatally struck while walking with a friend down a boulevard in Manhattan Beach at 1 a.m. Sunday — just a month before he was due to graduate from Loyola High School, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Driver Jenia Belt, 33, was charged with murder and driving under the influence for the lethal crash, MB News reported.
Levi was killed just months after his family relocated to the area after losing their home in the wildfires that devastated huge swaths of Los Angeles in January, the LA Times reported
The teen, who recently moved up the national tennis ranks, was honored by his classmates at a tear-filled candle vigil Sunday night.
“Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family… bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched,” Loyola High School Principal Jamal Adam told students and staff in an email.
Levi’s social media was also flooded with heartfelt tributes.
“Anyone who got to know you knows how lucky they are. You never met a stranger, and left an impact on everyone you met. I’m going to live and love as big as you every day,” wrote one user.
“The best friend a kid could ask for,” another said.
Levi was set to attend the University of Virginia in the fall, the outlet said.
He is survived by his parents and sister.
Belt is being held without bail, KABC said.
