Hit and Run Incident
Rebecca Grossman Sentence of 15-Year to Life for Fatal Crosswalk Crash
She struck two young brothers while speeding through a Westlake Village crosswalk four years ago
Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, in a hit-and-run incident that occurred in Westlake Village, California, in 2020. The sentencing, delivered by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino, marks the end of a nearly four-year legal battle that has deeply affected the local community and drawn widespread media attention.
The tragic incident took place on the evening of September 29, 2020, when Grossman, driving her white Mercedes SUV at a high speed, struck the Iskander brothers as they crossed the street in a marked crosswalk with their family. Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, were killed instantly, while their mother, Nancy Iskander, and younger brother, Zachary, narrowly escaped the speeding vehicle.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Grossman had been driving at approximately 81 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone and had been racing with her then-boyfriend, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, after consuming alcohol earlier in the day. The prosecution argued that Grossman's actions demonstrated a "complete lack of remorse and narcissistic superiority," pointing to her history of reckless driving, including a previous incident in 2013 when she was ticketed for driving 93 mph on the 101 Freeway.
In a six-week trial that featured dramatic testimony and emotional outbursts, Grossman was convicted in February of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. The jury deliberated for less than two days before reaching a unanimous verdict.
At the sentencing hearing, which was filled with tearful statements from both the victims' family and Grossman's supporters, Judge Brandolino described Grossman's actions as "reckless and unquestionably negligent." However, he also noted her lack of a prior criminal record and her philanthropic work, stating that she was "not a monster as the prosecution attempts to portray her."
Nancy Iskander, the boys' mother, delivered a powerful and emotional statement, urging the court to impose a sentence that reflected the profound loss of her sons. "She is a coward," Iskander said, addressing Grossman directly. "You looked me in the eye. You knew they were dying." Her words were echoed by other family members and friends who described the devastating impact of the boys' deaths on their lives and the community.
Grossman, who appeared in court visibly emotional, maintained her innocence, insisting that she did not see the boys in the road. "I never saw anyone. I never saw anyone," she tearfully stated. "I would have driven into a brick wall. I don’t know why God did not take my life." She expressed her sorrow to the Iskander family, acknowledging that her pain was only a fraction of theirs.
Despite her expressions of remorse, prosecutors argued that Grossman had shown no genuine remorse and had attempted to manipulate the case from behind bars. They highlighted her efforts to shift blame onto Erickson and her attempts to convince her daughter to lie during testimony.
The defense team, led by attorney James Spertus, argued for a more lenient sentence, citing Grossman's rough upbringing and her contributions to society through her philanthropic work. They requested probation or a shorter prison term, emphasizing that Grossman had already suffered emotionally and psychologically from the incident.
Ultimately, Judge Brandolino sentenced Grossman to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life for the murders, with an additional three years for fleeing the scene. She was also ordered to pay $47,161.89 in restitution to the Iskander family, having already donated $25,000 for funeral expenses.
The sentencing has brought a sense of closure to the Iskander family, though the pain of their loss remains. "Going to the trial was like going to the funeral of Mark and Jacob every day for six weeks," Nancy Iskander said. "It's my responsibility as a mother to fight for their justice and to be there for them."
The case has also left a lasting impact on the Westlake Village community, with many residents expressing their hope that the tragedy will serve as a reminder of the grave consequences of reckless driving. As Grossman begins her prison sentence, the community continues to mourn the loss of two young lives and reflect on the importance of justice and accountability.