Rebecca Grossman Accident Case Update: Here’s Everything To Know

Find out “Rebecca Grossman Accident Case Update” Rebecca Grossman is a 60-year-old socialite and co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation. She was recently found guilty of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run in a 2020 crash that resulted in the deaths of two young brothers, ages 8 and 11, in Westlake Village.

Grossman faced charges including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

Despite attempts by the defense to shift blame onto her then-boyfriend, former Dodgers player Scott Erickson, the jury rejected this defense. Grossman’s erratic driving behavior, admission of trying to restart her vehicle after the accident, and evidence of intoxication with Valium and alcohol at the time of the crash were key factors leading to her conviction.

Rebecca Grossman Accident Case Update: Where Is She Now?

Rebecca Grossman, following her conviction on all counts in the 2020 crash case that resulted in the deaths of two young brothers, is awaiting sentencing scheduled for April 10. She could potentially face up to 34 years to life in state prison.

Grossman was taken into custody after the verdict was announced and remains detained as she awaits her sentencing. The parents of the boys, Nancy and Karim Iskander, expressed relief at the closure after more than three years, acknowledging the pain for both sides but emphasizing the importance of justice for their sons

Is Rebecca Grossman Married With Children?

Rebecca Grossman is married to Dr. Peter Grossman, a well-known plastic surgeon. The couple co-founded the Grossman Burn Foundation and have two children together, a son and a daughter. Dr. Peter Grossman is a plastic surgeon with a private medical practice specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as burn patient care.

He serves as the medical director of the Grossman Burn Centers at West Hills Hospital and San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield. Dr. Grossman has received recognition for his work and has been appointed to various prestigious committees related to healthcare. Despite their legal challenges, the couple continues to navigate through the complexities of the legal processes together.

How Did The Accident Happen?

The accident involving Rebecca Grossman occurred on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village. Grossman was driving her high-powered Mercedes SUV on a quiet residential street when she accelerated to speeds up to 81 mph and failed to brake adequately before fatally striking two young boys, ages 8 and 11, in a crosswalk.

The crash investigator testified that Grossman barely tapped the brakes a second and a half before hitting the boys, traveling at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone. Data from the vehicle’s black box indicated that Grossman’s excessive speed and lack of proper braking led to the tragic collision.

The prosecution alleged that Grossman was aware of the dangers of speeding and impaired driving, as she had been drinking at a nearby restaurant with her then-boyfriend before the incident. Despite attempts by the defense to shift blame onto another individual, the evidence presented during the trial pointed to Grossman as the driver responsible for the crash.

Grossman faces charges including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

How Did The Defense Attempt To Shift Blame To Scott Erickson, And Why Didn’t The Jury Accept This Argument?

The defense attempted to shift blame to Scott Erickson, Rebecca Grossman’s then-boyfriend, by focusing on several key points:

• Erratic Driving Behavior and Intoxication: The defense highlighted Grossman’s erratic driving behavior, her admission of attempting to restart her vehicle after the accident, and her intoxication with both Valium and alcohol at the time of the incident. These factors were used to argue that Grossman was reckless and disregarded the safety of others.
• Alleged Involvement of Scott Erickson: The defense argued that Erickson was driving alongside Grossman through the crosswalk in his own car and that he was the one who fatally struck the two brothers. This theory was based on the defense’s contention that Erickson’s vehicle, a black Mercedes SUV, was the one that first hit the boys, and Grossman’s vehicle was the second to hit them.
• License Plate Misuse: The defense seized on Erickson’s alleged license-plate misuse, claiming he was using the same license plate on two of his Mercedes SUVs, which was a felony. This was intended to paint Erickson as a lawbreaker whose SUV first hit the boys.
• Testimony from Alexis Grossman: Alexis Grossman, Rebecca Grossman’s daughter, testified that she saw Erickson hiding near the crash scene and that he threatened her and her family if she told investigators what she had seen. This testimony was intended to support the defense’s argument that Erickson was involved in the incident.

Despite these efforts, the jury did not accept the defense’s argument that Erickson was the one who fatally struck the two brothers. The prosecution argued that the physical evidence found at the scene belonged only to Grossman’s vehicle, and the defense failed to produce concrete evidence that would help sway the jury. Additionally, the defense did not call Erickson as a witness to testify during the trial, which likely reinforced Grossman’s guilt in the jury’s minds and bolstered the prosecution’s case.

Were There Any Witnesses Or Eyewitnesses Who Testified Against Grossman?

Yes, there were witnesses and eyewitnesses who testified against Rebecca Grossman during the trial. These witnesses provided crucial testimony that helped paint a picture of the events leading up to the tragic accident.

• Eyewitnesses to the Accident: Two eyewitnesses recounted what they saw moments before the collision that killed 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander. They described how the car driven by Scott Erickson passed the family, while Grossman’s car struck the boys. This testimony was crucial in establishing the sequence of events and Grossman’s involvement in the accident.
• Testimony from the Boys’ Mother: Nancy Iskander, the mother of the two boys, testified that she saw two vehicles heading toward her family at an “insane, crazy speed.” She described how she ducked out of the way of the first vehicle with her youngest son, and she believed her other two boys were hit by the second vehicle, which was allegedly driven by Grossman. This testimony was pivotal in linking Grossman to the accident and the fatal outcomes.
• Deputy Testimony: Deputy Rafael Mejia testified that he found Grossman’s damaged vehicle smelling of alcohol with watery eyes after the crash. He noted that she was frantic and talking fast, indicating her impairment at the time of the accident. Deputy Michael Kelly, who administered a DUI test, testified that he determined Grossman was “impaired”.
• Testimony from Yasamin Eftekhari: Yasamin Eftekhari described seeing the two SUVs in her car’s side mirror, passing at high speed and then tapping on their brakes immediately before the crosswalk. She said Grossman’s white Mercedes was unable to avoid the boys. Eftekhari’s testimony provided a detailed account of the moments leading up to the accident and Grossman’s inability to stop.

These testimonies, among others, played a significant role in the trial, providing evidence that supported the prosecution’s case against Grossman.

Rebecca Grossman Early Life

Rebecca Grossman was born on June 14, 1963, in California, USA. She pursued her higher education at Texas Tech University and later graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2002 with a qualification in broadcast journalism. Throughout her career, Grossman held various roles, including being a flight attendant at Southwest Airlines, a researcher, a writer, a marketing executive, and the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation in 2006 and has dedicated over 16 years as a volunteer Chair, focusing on providing care locally and globally. Grossman’s commitment to assisting those in need is evident through her foundation’s projects, such as the Project Faith program established in honor of Faith Wanjugo, a burn victim from Kenya. This program aims to support the needs of burn victims and has been instrumental in providing specialized care and assistance.

In addition to her humanitarian efforts, Rebecca Grossman has worked extensively in the healthcare field for over a decade, serving as a researcher, journalist, and marketing executive. She owned and operated a medical marketing business before merging with Physiologic Reps, Inc., where she was appointed Director of Marketing. Grossman’s career transitioned towards journalism when she became a guest host on a weekly morning news segment for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles. Her involvement in journalism was driven by the need to provide the public with access to the latest medical research.

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