California socialite sentenced to 15 years to life for 2020 hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers

LOS ANGELES — A Southern California socialite was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life for the hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers in a crosswalk more than three years ago.

Authorities said Rebecca Grossman, wife of a prominent Los Angeles burn doctor, fatally struck Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob, 8, while speeding.

A Los Angeles jury found Rebecca Grossman guilty on all counts in February: two felony counts each of first-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter, and one misdemeanor count of hit-and-run resulting in death.

Supreme Court Judge Joseph Brandolino sentenced her to two concurrent prison terms of 15 years to life, plus three years for fleeing the scene of the fatal accident that would run concurrently with the two other sentences, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The judge called Grossman’s actions “reckless and undoubtedly negligent.”

The fatal crash occurred on the evening of September 29, 2020 in Westlake Village, a city on the western edge of Los Angeles County.

Prosecutors presented evidence that the data recorder in Grossman’s white Mercedes showed she was traveling at a speed of up to 80 miles per hour and hit the brakes, slowing her to 70 miles per hour less than two seconds before a collision took place that killed her caused. airbags.