Rebecca Grossman Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Fatal Crosswalk Crash: Top 5 Things You Need to Know
- A jury found former socialite Rebecca Grossman guilty of second-degree murder for the 2020 deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, in a Westlake Village crosswalk; the verdict was a rare case of a driver receiving murder charges for a fatal collision.
- Key evidence included Grossman’s blood alcohol level being over the legal limit, a car speed of over 80 mph in a 45 mph zone, and testimony that she had been racing her then-boyfriend, former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson, moments before the crash.
- The judge rejected a motion for a new trial and sentenced Grossman to 15 years to life in state prison, with the longest possible term being 34 years to life; she must serve at least 15 years before parole eligibility.
- The victims’ family, including the boys’ parents, delivered emotional impact statements, calling the girls’ deaths a preventable tragedy and urging the maximum prison sentence.
- Grossman’s defense argued the crash was a tragic accident and not intentional murder, but the prosecution successfully painted a pattern of reckless and willful behavior, including a prior hit-and-run citation and attempts to flee the scene.