Guilty in Death of Brothers, 8 and 11
Rebecca Grossman, the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and former publisher of Westlake Magazine, is fighting against family depositions in a civil suit filed by the family of two young brothers she was convicted of killing in a tragic accident.
Background of the Case
Grossman was sentenced in 2024 to 15 years to life in prison for running down two young boys, Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8, who were crossing a Westlake Village street with their family. The incident occurred on September 29, 2020. In the concluded criminal case, jurors found Grossman guilty of two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving.
Civil Suit
The Van Nuys Superior Court civil suit was filed by the boys’ parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, and their brother Zachary. The trial of the civil suit is scheduled for January 5, 2026. Grossman’s attorneys have filed court papers to prevent the depositions of her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, and daughter, Alexis Grossman, in the civil suit.
Depositions of Family Members
Dr. Peter Grossman, who is a defendant in the suit, was previously deposed by the Iskander attorneys in June 2021. The Grossman attorneys argue that a second deposition is unnecessary and that the plaintiffs’ lawyers’ argument to explore his criminal case trial testimony as well as Rebecca Grossman’s financial assets is questionable. They also state that Alexis Grossman, who testified during her mother’s criminal case trial, should not be deposed again as it would traumatize her. According to the court papers, Alexis Grossman has been diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.
Other Defendants
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, Rebecca Grossman’s former boyfriend, is also named a defendant in the complaint. The two had cocktails and later raced each other in their vehicles along Triunfo Canyon Road until they reached a crosswalk where the children were struck.
Grossman’s Actions
Grossman, 62, of Hidden Hills, tried to flee the scene and lied to law enforcement about her speed and how much she had to drink. She also contended that she did not know why her airbag suddenly deployed despite her vehicle sustaining massive front-end damage. The Iskander attorneys state that the evidence demonstrates that Rebecca Grossman’s conduct was "despicable" and that she was purposefully racing her Mercedes SUV at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone approaching a marked crosswalk with children in it.
Rebecca Grossman, convicted in the deaths of two young brothers struck by her vehicle in Westlake Village in 2020, is the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the former publisher of Westlake Magazine.
Conclusion
The case of Rebecca Grossman is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behavior. The fight against family depositions in the civil suit is a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, and the decision on the depositions will have a significant impact on the trial.
FAQs
Q: What was Rebecca Grossman convicted of?
A: Rebecca Grossman was convicted of two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving.
Q: Who are the plaintiffs in the civil suit?
A: The plaintiffs in the civil suit are the boys’ parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, and their brother Zachary.
Q: What is the scheduled trial date for the civil suit?
A: The trial of the civil suit is scheduled for January 5, 2026.
Q: Why do the Grossman attorneys want to prevent the depositions of Dr. Peter Grossman and Alexis Grossman?
A: The Grossman attorneys argue that a second deposition of Dr. Peter Grossman is unnecessary and that deposing Alexis Grossman would traumatize her.
