The mother of a high school tennis star killed in a suspected DUI crash in Manhattan Beach is pushing for tougher drinking and driving laws in California.
In May, 18-year-old Braun Levi was walking on Sepulveda Boulevard with his friend when he was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jenia Belt, was arrested and charged with murder and driving on a license that was previously suspended for drinking and driving.
On Monday, Jennifer Levi, the teen’s mother, attended a press conference held by L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who discussed the Belt’s charges.
“The pain we feel is indescribable,” Levi said. “Our family has been shattered, ripped apart, and left to pick up the pieces and keep on living without Braun, who we all loved. We are no longer the people we once were. We are profoundly changed by the depth of our grief.”
Levi went on to talk about the day she identified her son’s body, adding “I will not be silent.”
“ The feeling, the sight, the smell of identifying our son's body will never leave my mind, body, or soul,” she said. “ That's why I'm committed to advancing a new bill to restructure California DUI sentencing and punishment, implement real, effective deterrence driving under the influence and impaired.”
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Hochman, who is prosecuting the case, called on lawmakers to enact statewide laws that will require ignition interlock devices for people who have been convicted of DUIs.
“These are devices that you have to blow into, and if you have a blood alcohol level above 0.08, it won't allow you to start your car,” he said. “ Bills have been tried to be passed that if you even suffer one DUI, the court can then order this ignition interlock device. Those bills have failed. That is unacceptable.”
California won't charge a DUI as a felony unless it's someone's fourth offense within 10 years, unless they injure somebody. A report by Cal Matters found people with as many as six DUIs have been able to still get a license here.
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