Rebecca Grossman, 57, who is a co-founder . 'I do apologize for the delays.'. The Iskander brothers had been walking across a crosswalk with their parents and two siblings, Zackary and Violet, when they were struck. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Rebecca Grossman Grossman accepts the Betty Fisher Legacy Award at Evening of Hope 2017 at Sheraton Universal on May 18, 2017 in Universal City, California. "This is a devastating loss for our community," State Sen. Henry Stern posted on Facebook. She was allegedly street racing against former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson at the time; the posted speed limit was 45 mph. Buzbee said the prosecution overcharged his client in an attempt to twist his clients arm into pleading out. Nancy Iskander appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday to testify in the preliminary hearing for the case, nearly two years after the hit-and-run crash killed her sons Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8. "I realized something happened to Mark and Jacob.". Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Grossman allegedly traveled more than 100 feet with one of the boys still on the hood of her car before the eyes of their horrified parents. Rebecca Grossman, 59, has pleaded not guilty to felony murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in the Sept. 29, 2020 deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and his brother Mark. The street has two lanes of traffic and bike lanes on each side, plus a dividing median, and they were only halfway across when she noticed a loud noise. ', The other petition proclaimed, 'Let's push to spread awareness about this case and put Rebecca Grossman behind bars. "After allegedly striking the children, Grossman allegedly continued driving, eventually stopping about one-quarter mile away from the scene when her car engine cutoff," the DA said. The boys, who were on roller skates and a skateboard at the time, were crossing a marked crosswalk with their parents, Nancy Iskander and Karim Iskander, nearby. Grossman entered the Van Nuys courtroom Monday, being charged with two counts of murder and two counts of vehicular manslaughter. It is ironic that the Iskander family not only sued the City of Westlake, but also sued the State of California for their sons deaths the same entity that now is attempting to prosecute Mrs. Grossman, Buzbees statement said. 57, struck and killed nine year-old Jacob Iskander . Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Grossman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter after the accident, NBC Los Angeles reported, but posted her $2 million bail on October 1. Royce Clayton, an acquaintance of Grossman's who was with her at Julio's Agave Grill in Westlake Village immediately prior to the crash, testified next. 2023 www.vcstar.com. Samuels will then decide if Grossman should be ordered to stand trial or not. When she turned, she saw Jacob lying in the roadway "as if he was sleeping," but Mark was nowhere to be found. According to its website, the Grossman Burn Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Grossman Burn Centers Inc, which treats the victims of severe burns all over the world. Justice must be served, regardless of Grossmans financial means, status, privilege, and connections.". Love to Party for GoodGood for You + Community Too! The socialite is currently charged with two counts of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. 'I realized something happened to Mark and Jacob.'. 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According to her lawyer, previous reports about the incident have been inaccurate. The boys' mother broke down in tears on the stand as she testified that on the day of the crash, she was walking with the two boys as well as their 5-year-old brother in the crosswalk when she heard loud engines and suddenly saw two SUVs hurtling toward them. Loved ones are asking residents to send holiday cards to the family of Mark and Jacob Iskander, two young brothers who were fatally struck by a car in Westlake Village in 2020.Mark was 11 and Jacob 8. The parents were at there at the time, according to the sheriff's office. 'We can't keep continuing this. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW, PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. Iskander said she waited for the road to clear before they began crossing. Our sympathies are with all who have been affected.". media-tech companies with hubs around the world. 'We demand that Grossman is prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law and that she face serious consequences for her actions that took away the lives of Mark and Jacob. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ The Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation Fund is held with the Ventura County Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity, Federal Tax ID number: 77-0165029. It's GRAYGATE! The crash occurred the evening of Sept. 29, 2020, along Triunfo Canyon Roadat the intersection with Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village. 2. The family is suffering. Inside LA millionaire's wealth as son, 17, is charged in Monique Munoz's death. Grossman, 58, kept her head down and clutched her husband's hand as she arrived at the Van Nuys courtroom on Monday. hitType: 'event', Date Set For Agoura Great Race, Registration Open, New Brush Clearance Expectations Set For Agoura Hills Homeowners, Modernization Projects, TK Expansion Planned For Agoura Hills Schools. AGOURA HILLS, CA This holiday season, add the Iskander family to your holiday card recipient list. Iskander held her hand up to indicate they were crossing, but as the black car approached the intersection first, she quickly realized the car was not going to stop. Book an appointment today! Prosecutors claim Grossman hit both boys and traveled more than 100 feet with one of them on the hood of her car before she applied the brakes and the child fell off. Speed and alcohol cited as contributing factors. Socialite ran over Iskander kids in 2020. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! I was very proud of them," Karim said. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. But despite the severity of the crimes she's accused of, she's been free on bail since being charged two days after the tragedy. The second boy was taken to a local hospital where he died a few hours later, the sheriff's office said. Magazine publisher Rebecca Grossman, 57, struck and killed nine year-old Jacob Iskander and his brother Mark, 11, in Westlake Village, California, on Tuesday evening. One of the protesters, mother-of-two Julie Cohen, 58, - who made the Mark and Jacob T-shirts bearing the words 'JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED, plus similar stickers - told told DailyMail.com, 'There have been too many delays already. Rebecca Grossman, 59, has pleaded not guilty to felony murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in the Sept. 29, 2020 deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and his brother Mark Iskander, 11, according to previous Oxygen.com reporting. Thank you! When she hit the brakes, the boy rolled off into the streets. Erickson, who won his ring in 1991 with the Minnesota Twins, has been charged with reckless driving but he has not been accused of any other offenses connected with the brothers' deaths. "Our community love and support, along with their tremendous faith, is whats helping their family get through this very difficult time," Cohen said in a Facebook post. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . 'I heard a really loud noise, I looked back and I either felt or saw the other car speeding also,' Iskander said. }); "All witnessed by the very eyes of the ones who love them most their parents. The 57-year-old was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter for running over the kids aged 11 and 9. hitType: 'event', }); CLOSE Mourners visit the memorial site for Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob Iskander, 8, who were struck and killed Tuesday in Westlake Village. He had a strong personality, strong muscles and strong faith. Grossman is the co-founder and head of the Grossman Burn Foundation and is a well-known socialite in Los Angeles. The Sheriff's Department believed Grossman, the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation could have sped off after the collision with one of the brothers who was dragged 100 feet on the hood of the car before Grossman braked. She finally pulled over a mile and a half away. The park carries special meaning for the Iskander family because it was the boys' neighborhood playground. Coming back to the recent case, judge Shellie Samuels said "Its been a year and two months since it happened," Samuels said. Two petitions, claiming to have a combined total of more than 50,000 signatures, have been circulating, calling for Grossman to be locked up. } The video of the tragic incident is in possession of authorities and investigators had noted alcohol and street racing could've been contributing factors leading to the incident. He can be reached by calling805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com. Get your daily crime on! Mark, age 11 and a 6th-grade student at Oaks Christian, and Jacob, age 9 and a 3rd-grade student at Ascension Lutheran, were on an evening walk with their parents . 1 Dead, 12 Injured After Car Runs Into Taco Stand in Pomona, Calif. Investigators said street racing may have been involved in the crash, which happened at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive, The Iskander brothers had been walking across a crosswalk with their parents and two siblings, Zackary and Violet, when they were struck, The brothers are pictured in this undated school photos. 6 Injured In Downtown Los Angeles Stabbing: Police, LA County Library: Celebrate Csar Chvez, UCLA: UCLA Health Receives $25.3 Million For Street Medicine Program Caring For Homeless. eventAction: 'load' Everything to Know About Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Shooting Charges, and What Happens Next? Nancy Iskander, the boys' mother, narrowly saved one of her younger children, who was riding a scooter, as well as her youngest child, who was in a baby stroller, but couldnt grab Jacob or Mark in time. "I pray for every mom who's lost a son," she said, according to the Star. All rights reserved. It is a very tragic situation. 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Three Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies then took the stand: Deputy Jason McGee, who responded to the crash and accompanied Grossman to her blood draw at a hospital; Deputy Todd Cash, who issued Grossman a speeding ticket on May 8, 2020, along Kanan Dume Road in Malibu; and lastlyDeputy Richard Curry, who was responsible for retrieving crash information recorded bythe Event Data Recorder in Grossman's vehicle on Oct. 6, 2020. A heartbroken mother wept on the stand as she tearfully described how she desperately tried to wave down Rebecca Grossman just seconds before thesocialite ran over her two sons with her Mercedes during an alleged street race. If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison. Rebecca Grossman, 58, is accused of barreling her Mercedes Benz at speeds of up to 81 mph toward the Iskander family, killing brothers Jacob and Mark, ages 8 and 11, in the residential area of Westlake Village, California. Grossman lives in a $9.5 million, nine-bed, 12-bath mansion, in nearby Hidden Hills, on the same street as Full House actress Lori Loughlin. Mark died at the scene and Jacob a few hours later in the hospital. Alpine Village in Torrance closes after more than five decades, Gas prices rise for 31st consecutive day in LA County, Carjacking victim comes face to face with suspect during wild chase. The rate of vehicle traffic, as well as pedestrian traffic, combined with the high speed limit were of such a nature that the crosswalk should have not existed without traffic device enhancements to provide warning of pedestrians using the intersection.. At a hearing in March, Judge Shellie Samuels apologized to the victims' patents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, for the many continuances and postponement in the case, the most recent of which was Grossman's need to look for and hire a new lawyer after her previous attorney fell ill. 'This case has taken way too long,' said the judge. Grossman and her husband are the founders of the Grossman Burn Foundation, which seeks "to promote effective, sustainable partnership solutions for the comprehensive treatment, care, and support of burn survivors and their families in the United States and around the world," according to the organization's website. All six of them were walking across a crosswalk at a. What occurred that night was a horrible, unspeakable tragedy, but it was not murder. Grossman was allegedly street-racing with Erickson; witnesses say she tailed Ericksons SUV just before he swerved to avoid hitting the Iskanders, leaving no time for Grossman to stop. We are excited about keeping you updated! },false) Mark's third-grade teacher Kristen Rowlands remembered her student as having an "outgoing passion" paired with "smarts," adding that his younger brother was full of confidence and "so much joy," the Thousand Oaks Acorn reported. Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander were tragically killed in an auto accident by an "alleged" drunk driver in September, 2020. The prosecutions insistence on overcharging my client, a pillar of this community, with murder is nothing more than a transparent effort to force her to plea that is impeding progress in this case.. The city was told time after time that someone would be killed if measures were not taken. Iskander said she waved frantically to try to get the drivers' attention before pushing her 5-year-old son out of the way. It haunts me every night," Iskander said. }); The Iskander family filed a lawsuit against the state of California, L.A. County and Westlake Village in August 2021. That $2 million bail, plus the slow pace of court proceedings including several hearings where Grossman didn't show up have sparked outrage from protesters who believe her wealth and 'connections' have kept her out of jail. Cohen, a neighbor of the Iskander family in Westlake Village, added, 'If Grossman didn't have money and connections, she would have been in custody all this time instead of free on bail. },false) "This is the Iskanders third holiday season without Mark and Jacob. Importantly, contrary to some information that has been shared, Rebecca Grossman was not intoxicated, she has not been charged with DUI, and she certainly did not attempt to flee the scene, Buzbee said in his statement. After allegedly hitting the Iskander brothers, witnesses said Grossman fled the scene before the vehicle stalled about a quarter-mile away. The driver, Rebecca Grossman,. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Instead, she was cooperative and police with the investigating officers.. Karim and Nancy Iskander parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander leave Los Angeles Superior Court Monday after a hearing for Rebecca Grossman, who is accused of killing their two children as they were crossing the street in Westlake Village. She has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Rebecca Grossman stands accused of street racing at speeds up to 81 mph just before she plowed through a residential crosswalk, killing Mark and Jacob Iskander. She ledwith Zachary by her side as Jacob and Mark followed a half-step behind her. That night, due to the darkness, lack of lighting, and the color of clothing [Jacob and Mark Iskander] were wearing, my client never saw those little boys.. [I]f someone gets killed I hope the family knows that this has been reported repeatedly and sues the city for negligence, said another, according to Buzbee. }); They want to know what happened. Nancy Iskander said anyone who wants to support Mark and Jacobs legacy can do so through the charity founded in their memory with the Ventura County Community Foundation, the Ventura County Star reported. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ She was paid $100,000 insurance with an additional $15,000 in repairs for her Mercedes. The boys aspired to greatness, not for themselves, but to glorify God and help the world around them. "I still see it every night. "Two young boys with an entire lifetime ahead of them.". gads_event = event; document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Jacob was a great friend to all who were blessed enough to call him a pal. The best beach in Britain that you've never heard of: Seaside town is braced for tourism boom after Kate Garraway reveals Derek's heartbreaking words when they thought he had just minutes left to live. 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We are now confident that the facts of this tragic accident will soon be revealed to help bring closure and healing to all shattered by an . Rebecca Grossman's lawyers are now claiming that the city of Westlake Village is responsible for the alleged hit-and-run deaths of Jacob and Mark Iskander for which their client has been charged. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Nancy Iskander has relived the night her two children died in front of her more times than she can remember. The brothers were identified by a local newspaper, The Acorn, as 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 9-year-old Jacob Iskander. They managed to pull two of their children to safety but Jacob and Mark Oxygen.com has reached out to Buzbee for comment but did not immediately hear back. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? As per the family's wishes, all contributions will be donated to a charity of their choosing in honor of Mark and Jacob. Mark and Jacob Iskander. A Southern California community is mourning two brothers, ages 11 and 9, after they were struck and killed by a driver in suburban Los Angeles County, according to authorities. Investigators say alcohol and street racing may have played a part in the collision. A socialite magazine publisher has been arrested for allegedly killing two young brothers in a DUI hit-and-run while driving her Mercedes in California. Grossmans lawyer, Tony Buzbee, claims that the primary cause of the crash wasn't his clients allegedly unsafe driving, but a dangerous pedestrian crosswalk. We are deeply devastated by the heartbreaking loss of Mark and Jacob Iskander. She's accused of killing 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his. Grossman is expected back in court in August, according to NBC Los Angeles, with her trial slated to begin in September. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Sadly, as is typical for a neglectful government, nine days after the accident in this case, the city finally acted when it allocated $250,000 to install flashing lights at this crossing, Grossmans attorney said. Rebecca Grossman in a 2014 video. Grossman's preliminary hearing was delayed yet again on Wednesday after the court was informed that her attorney Richard Sutton had taken ill and was unable to go forward with the case. The Los Angeles socialite accused of mowing down two brothers at a crosswalk in 2020 has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Grossman was driving a Mercedes-Benz SUV. Forover an hour, Eisner asked Iskander about whether she saw her children hit by Grossman's car, as well as how far apart they were after she jumped out of the way from the black SUV, though Iskander mostly said she did not remember. He died at the scene. I pray for every mom whos lost a son, she said, according to the Star. Hearing Held For Socialite Accused Of Killing Two Boys, The murder trial of a Los Angeles socialite accused of hitting and killing two brothers in a crosswalk could start asearly as this spring, according to the, has pleaded not guilty to felony murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in the Sept. 29, 2020 deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and his brother Mark Iskander, 11, according to previous, Grossman allegedly reached speeds of up to 81 miles per hour in her Mercedes Benz before hitting the brothers as they walked with their parents and siblings in a crosswalk along Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village northwest of Los Angeles, according to previous. Clayton said he saw Grossman drink a margarita at the restaurant, but he did not join her when she droveto a residenceto watch the 2020 presidential debate. Buzbee noted that the Iskander family have sued the City of Westlake and the State of California, alleging that the crossing was a substantial factor in the deaths of their sons.