In a harrowing case that has gripped the community, Rebecca Grossman, alongside her ex-boyfriend, is accused of being involved in a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of two young brothers. On September 29, 2020, the two boys, Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8, were tragically struck while crossing a street with their mother near Westlake Village.
The trial began with attorneys outlining the tragic events that transpired that day. Grossman, who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for her actions, was described as racing her vehicle while under the influence at the time of the incident. Her attorney asserted in court that it was actually her former partner, Scott Erickson— a former Dodgers pitcher—who first hit the boys, with Grossman merely following in hot pursuit. However, the family of the victims is holding both individuals accountable.
Details of the Incident
During opening statements, Brian Panish, the lawyer representing the Iskander family, laid out the details of the tragic day. He claimed that multiple witnesses saw the two speeding cars racing down Triunfo Canyon Road and pointed out that both Grossman and Erickson were intoxicated after a night of drinking. Evidence presented suggests that they were driving recklessly just moments before the collision occurred.
As the family made their way across the road, they were allegedly obstructed by Erickson’s vehicle, which left the boys unable to escape from the path of Grossman’s SUV, which crashed into them at a horrifying speed of up to 73 mph. “That speed is like dropping a massive car from a tall building,” Panish stated, emphasizing the impact of the crash.
The Aftermath and Legal Battles
Following the crash, Grossman’s vehicle came to halt only after traveling a considerable distance. Toxicology reports later indicated her blood-alcohol content was right at the limit hours after the incident. Contrarily, Erickson, who fled the scene, has not had his blood-alcohol level tested, raising questions about the events and his accountability.
In previous criminal proceedings, Grossman’s defense team attempted to shift the blame onto Erickson, claiming that he was responsible for the accident and had evaded justice after witnessing the tragic event. During the civil trial, it was noted that the city of Westlake Village had been reluctant to invest in safety measures for the crosswalk, which could have potentially prevented the accident.
In the unraveling narrative, evidence presented will explore the roles both individuals played leading to this heartbreaking loss. The Iskander family continues to seek justice for their sons, while both Grossman and Erickson are left navigating the aftermath of a reckless night that forever changed lives.
