California Socialite Rebecca Grossman Sentenced to 15 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run: Disregard for Human Life

Westlake Village, California, California United States of America
Grossman continued driving after the crash and stopped about a quarter-mile away
Grossman had no previous convictions but several driving offenses dating back to the early 2000s. Allegedly drank at least two margaritas and took Valium before the crash
Grossman was driving her Mercedes SUV at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone when she hit Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8
Prosecutors pushed for maximum sentence of 34 years to life but Grossman was convicted on two counts of murder, vehicular manslaughter and gross negligence, and an additional count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death
Rebecca Grossman sentenced to 15 years to life for hitting and killing two young brothers in California
Witnesses testified Grossman drove erratically and at excessive speeds before the crash
California Socialite Rebecca Grossman Sentenced to 15 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run: Disregard for Human Life

A California socialite, Rebecca Grossman, was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for fatally striking two young brothers with her car on September 29, 2020. The incident occurred in Westlake Village, where Grossman was driving her white Mercedes SUV at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone and hit Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8, at a crosswalk. The boys' mother was also present during the accident. After the crash, Grossman didn't stop the vehicle until the Mercedes' crash safety features cut off the fuel. Mark likely died within minutes if not seconds after the crash.

Rebecca Grossman is a well-known philanthropist and co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, which supports burn victims around the world. However, her actions on that day showed a complete disregard for human life, as she continued driving after the crash and eventually stopped about a quarter-mile away. Grossman was convicted by a jury in February on two counts of murder, vehicular manslaughter and gross negligence in the deaths of Mark Iskander and Jacob Iskander, and an additional count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum sentence of 34 years to life. However, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his disappointment with the outcome, stating that Grossman showed a narcissistic superiority and displayed no remorse or acceptance of responsibility for the crash. The data recorder in Grossman's Mercedes SUV showed that she accelerated to 81 mph just seconds before the crash, with her foot pressed to the floor. Investigator Michael Hale testified that her SUV struck the boys with a force equivalent to the vehicle being dropped on them from a 12-story height.

Grossman had no previous convictions, but she had several driving offenses dating back to the early 2000s. During the trial, it was alleged that she drank at least two margaritas and took Valium earlier that day, impairing her mental capacity and physical reactions. Multiple witnesses testified that she drove erratically and at excessive speeds before the crash, including allegedly swerving into the bicycle lane in an attempt to pass a car.

The loss of these two innocent lives has devastated their family and our community. Grossman's blatant disregard for human life is a stark reminder of the grave consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel.



Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Was Rebecca Grossman truly impaired by alcohol and Valium at the time of the crash?
  • Were there any other factors that may have contributed to her erratic driving before the crash?

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Rebecca Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for striking and killing Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8 at a crosswalk in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020.
    • Grossman was driving her white Mercedes SUV at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone when she hit the boys and their mother.
    • After the crash, Grossman didn’t stop the vehicle until the Mercedes’ crash safety features cut off the fuel.
    • Mark likely died within minutes if not seconds after the crash, an expert testified during the trial.
  • Accuracy
    • Rebecca Grossman was driving her white Mercedes SUV at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone when she hit the boys and their mother.
    • Grossman was convicted of 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.
    • Grossman made a statement in court where she said she would give her life if it could bring Mark and Jacob back.
    • Prosecutors described Grossman as without remorse and having a lack of respect for the rule of law. They asked for two consecutive sentences of 15 years to life and an additional four years for hit-and-run driving.
    • Grossman maintained throughout the trial and sentencing that she did not see the two boys who were crossing the street with their parents in a marked crosswalk.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Rebecca Grossman co-founded the Grossman Burn Foundation to support burn victims around the world.
  • Accuracy
    • Rebecca Grossman was driving her white Mercedes SUV at 73 mph in a 45-mph zone when she hit the boys and their mother.
    • Grossman maintained throughout the trial and sentencing that she did not see the two boys who were crossing the street with their parents in a marked crosswalk.
    • Prosecutors argued that Grossman had been drinking with retired Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson before the collision and had been traveling at speeds of 81mph, far above the speed limit.
    • Grossman faced up to 34 years in prison but had requested a new trial which was denied.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

76%

  • Unique Points
    • Rebecca Grossman stayed at the scene of the accident for 20 minutes in a state of denial.
  • Accuracy
    • Rebecca Grossman was driving at excessive speeds through Westlake Village.
    • The data recorder in Grossman’s Mercedes SUV showed she accelerated to 81 mph just seconds before the crash.
    • Grossman maintained throughout the trial and sentencing that she did not see the two boys who were crossing the street with their parents in a marked crosswalk.
  • Deception (0%)
    The author, Rachel Pannett, uses emotional manipulation by describing the deaths of the two boys as 'shattered a family and robbed two children of their bright futures.' She also uses sensationalism by stating that Grossman 'showed a complete disregard for the lives and safety of others in our community through her reckless actions.' The article also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the maximum sentence requested by prosecutors without providing context about why it was requested or what the recommended sentence was based on. Additionally, there is no disclosure of sources.
    • She has lived a life of privilege and clearly felt that her wealth and notoriety would buy her freedom.
    • The loss of these two innocent lives has devastated their family and our community.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Rebecca Grossman stayed at the scene of the accident for 20 minutes in a state of denial.
  • Accuracy
    • She will serve two 15-years-to-life sentences concurrently and three years for fleeing the scene.
    • Grossman faced up to 34 years in prison but had requested a new trial which was denied.
    • Prosecutors argued that Grossman had been drinking with retired Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson before the collision and had been traveling at speeds of 81mph, far above the speed limit.
    • Grossman’s defense team argued that the boys were first struck by another car and her role in the incident was an accident rather than murder.
    • Prosecutors asked for Grossman to spend the rest of her life in prison due to a lack of remorse and refusal to take responsibility.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

93%

  • Unique Points
    • Rebecca Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for hitting and killing Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8 with her car.
    • Grossman addressed the Iskander family during the hearing and apologized for her actions.
  • Accuracy
    • Grossman stayed at the scene of the accident for 20 minutes in a state of denial.
    • Scott Erickson, a former LA Dodgers baseball star, was initially suspected of hitting the boys first but has denied wrongdoing.
    • The collision occurred on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village when Grossman was driving her Mercedes SUV at a speed of 73mph through a crosswalk where the Iskander brothers were traveling on scooters and skates.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Rebecca Grossman's behavior as 'incredibly selfish' and 'selfish behavior'. She also uses the phrase 'weaponize' when referring to the prosecution. These are emotional appeals that do not add any logical value to the article.
    • The author describes Rebecca Grossman's behavior as 'incredibly selfish''
    • The author uses the phrase 'weaponize' when referring to the prosecution
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication