Imprisoned Rebecca Grossman Ordered to Sit for Deposition in Wrongful Death Suit

Introduction to the Case

Grossman Burn Foundation co-founder Rebecca Grossman — who was sentenced in 2024 to 15 years to life in prison for running down two young boys crossing a Westlake Village street with their family — will have to sit for a deposition in the family’s civil suit against her next week, but for now she cannot be asked about the accident, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Background of the Incident

In an already 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 in the Sept. 29, 2020, deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8.

Civil Suit Proceedings

The Van Nuys Superior Court civil suit plaintiffs are the boys’ parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, and the boys’ brother Zachary. Trial of the civil suit is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026. In a ruling Wednesday, Judge Huey P. Cotton denied a motion by Grossman’s attorneys to stay any deposition of their client until her appeals of her criminal case conviction are exhausted.

Deposition Details

The judge said the Iskander lawyers can proceed with the imprisoned Grossman’s deposition on Sept. 3, but they cannot question her at that time about the day of the fatal collision, the deadly accident itself or any prior encounters that Grossman had with law enforcement, including traffic citations. However, the judge said the Iskander team can question Grossman about those topics in a second deposition prior to the trial. He further said he will hold a Dec. 1 hearing to find out if she intends to assert her Fifth Amendment right to not answer any questions her attorneys believe may be incriminating while her appeals are still at issue.

Confidentiality of Deposition Contents

Under a Jan. 3 order of the judge, the contents of next week’s Grossman deposition will not be made public.

Defendants in the Complaint

Grossman, 62, is named a defendant in the complaint filed in January 2021 along with her then-boyfriend — former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson. Grossman and Erickson had cocktails and later raced each other in their vehicles along Triunfo Canyon Road until they reached a crosswalk and the children were struck.

Attempt to Flee and Misleading Law Enforcement

Grossman tried to flee the scene, and she likely would have been successful had her vehicle not automatically shut down due to it sensing the massive impact that had just occurred, the Iskander attorneys state in their court papers. Grossman then lied to law enforcement about her speed and how much she had to drink, and then contended she did not know why her airbag suddenly deployed despite her vehicle sustaining massive front-end damage, the Iskander attorneys further state in their pleadings.

Conduct of Rebecca Grossman

“The evidence to date demonstrates that Rebecca Grossman’s conduct was “despicable,” the Iskander family’s attorneys contend in their court papers. “She was purposefully racing her Mercedes SUV at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone approaching a marked crosswalk with children in it.”

Conclusion

The case against Rebecca Grossman is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behavior. As the civil suit progresses, it will be important to consider the impact of Grossman’s actions on the Iskander family and the community at large. The deposition of Grossman is a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their loved ones.

FAQs

• Q: What is the current status of Rebecca Grossman?
  A: Rebecca Grossman is currently imprisoned, serving a sentence of 15 years to life for her role in the deaths of two young boys.
• Q: What is the nature of the civil suit against Grossman?
  A: The civil suit is a wrongful death suit filed by the parents and brother of the two boys who were killed in the incident.
• Q: Can Grossman be questioned about the accident during her deposition?
  A: Initially, no. The judge has ruled that Grossman cannot be questioned about the accident itself during her first deposition, but she can be questioned about it in a second deposition prior to the trial.
• Q: Why was Grossman unable to flee the scene of the accident?
  A: Grossman’s vehicle automatically shut down due to the massive impact of the collision, preventing her from fleeing the scene.
• Q: What is the scheduled trial date for the civil suit?
  A: The trial of the civil suit is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026.