High School Tennis Phenom Perishes in Manhattan Beach Accident; Suspect Under Arrest for Alleged DUI
The Tragic Loss of Tennis Star Braun Levi
Hey there, here's the lowdown on the recent heartbreaking tragedy involving teen tennis sensation Braun Levi unfortunately meeting his end in a fateful collision.
Braun Levi, the cherished star athlete at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, passed away on May 4, 2025. Rumors are swirling that a suspect, believed to have been under the influence, was arrested shortly after the incident.
Just a month prior, Loyola High was bursting with pride as they celebrated Levi's climb into the top national ranks of boys tennis. The 18-year-old secured another victory mere days before his accident, triumphing in the Mission League doubles championship alongside teammate Cooper Schwartz.
Life had been dealing the young player some tough hands recently - just a few months earlier, Levi's home in Pacific Palisades was consumed by the fires that ripped through the area. With their home no longer an option, the family relocated to the South Bay.
Jamal Adams, the Loyola High principal, broke the shocking news to students and staff via email. "Braun was a radiant presence in our Loyola family, spreading light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched," Adams wrote.
A vigil was planned for the school's campus that same evening, open to anyone who wished to join and remember the fallen athlete.
Detectives arrested a 33-year-old woman from Los Angeles on allegations of drunk driving and homicide. She remained in custody in Manhattan Beach following the incident.
Social media accounts overflowed with messages from friends and admirers, mourning their loss and reminiscing about the indelible impact Levi had left on their lives. Braun had been due to attend the University of Virginia in the fall.
One message expressed regret, stating, "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."
Another friend wrote, "Whether you were fortunate enough to cross paths with him for an hour or a lifetime, he left an impression. It was impossible to be sad or bored whenever Braun was around, and his gift for lifting those around him was truly singular."
Images scattered across Levi's social media channels present a picture of a typical Southern California childhood. Snaps of him frolicking by High Sierra lakes with his family, hanging out on the beach with friends, and jamming with celebrities like Adam Sandler are just a few of the memories he has left behind.
Sadly, this isn't the first time the Loyola High community has experienced such a traumatic loss. Just two years ago, a student-athlete, Ryan Times, lost his life in an accident on spring break[1].
Coach Brian Held, who taught AP Economics and Statistics to Levi, paid tribute to the versatile athlete. "We're all stunned, devastated, and heartbroken," Held said in an email. "Braun was the most remarkable, all-around leader, who was adored by everyone, even his adversaries. He was indeed a unique and exceptional individual."
Levi leaves behind his parents and an older sister.
Contributions from Times staff writer Eric Sondheimer
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- Braun Levi, known for his achievements in tennis and and spirit at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, was unfortunately involved in a car-accident that took his life on May 4, 2025.
- Despite the tragedy, Levi's influence reached far beyond the general-news headlines, with friends and admirers sharing heartfelt messages on social media.
- The suspect in Levi's car-accident, a woman from Los Angeles, was arrested on allegations of drunk driving and homicide.
- Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Loyola High community has faced such a traumatic loss; two years ago, student-athlete Ryan Times died in an accident during spring break.
- Parallels can be drawn between Levi's life and the spirit of Southern California, as evidenced by the snapshots of his childhood that remain on his social media – frolicking by High Sierra lakes, hanging out on the beach, and jamming with celebrities like Adam Sandler.
- In addition to his popularity in sports (tennis and basketball), Levi left a strong impact in the fields of crime-and-justice and general-news, with his tragic loss causing a ripple effect that echoed in local news outlets, such as stories about car-accidents and grieving families.
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