Grossman Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Charges

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — A co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation was charged Wednesday with murder and vehicular manslaughter, among other charges, for allegedly running over two young boys in Westlake Village in September and then fleeing the scene.

Rebecca Grossman, 57, of Hidden Hills, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a Van Nuys courtroom to two felony counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

She could face a maximum of 34 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege that Grossman drove at excessive speeds on Triunfo Canyon Road and struck 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother, Jacob, as they were crossing the street with their parents in a marked crosswalk at the Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village on Sept. 29.

Sheriff's officials said six family members were crossing the three- way intersection -- which does not have a stoplight -- in the crosswalk when the mother heard a car speeding toward them and both parents reached out to protect two of their children, but the two boys were too far out in the intersection and were struck.

The older boy died at the scene and his 8-year-old sibling died at Los Robles Regional Medical Center a few hours later, according to a report in The Acorn.

Grossman allegedly continued driving after striking the boys, eventually stopping about a quarter mile away from the scene when her car engine stopped running. She was arrested by sheriff's deputies the day of the crash and subsequently released Oct. 1 on bond.

"We believe speed is a factor. Alcohol is a factor," Lost Hills Capt. Salvador Becerra said after the incident. Grossman's blood alcohol tested over the legal limit, according to authorities.

Grossman is married to Dr. Peter Grossman, who is the director of the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills and son of the center's late founder, A. Richard Grossman. Rebecca Grossman is also co-founder and chairwoman of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the former publisher of Westlake Magazine.

— City News Service and Patch editor Michael Wittner contributed to this report

Related Coverage:

Young Brothers Killed In Westlake Crosswalk Identified | Calabasas, CA Patch

Two Brothers Killed In Westlake Village Crash | Agoura Hills, CA Patch