The brothers were identified by a local newspaper, The Acorn, as 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 9-year-old Jacob Iskander. If you could add them to your holiday card list, it would mean so much to them," said Julie Cohen, a family friend and advocate. We are deeply devastated by the heartbreaking loss of Mark and Jacob Iskander. Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 8, were with their family Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, when they were struck and killed in Westlake Village in a Mercedes driven by Rebecca Grossman, the. Rebecca Grossman hit the youngsters in front of their parents - then drove off with one of the victims trapped on the hood of her luxury car . }); Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Rebecca Grossman in a 2014 video. Instead, she was cooperative and police with the investigating officers.. More information is available at. CLOSE Mourners visit the memorial site for Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob Iskander, 8, who were struck and killed Tuesday in Westlake Village. 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? Jacob Iskander, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, were crossing the street at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive around 7:10 p.m. Tuesday when the deadly collision occurred. She is the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the former publisher of Westlake Magazine, according to the Ventura County Star. According to her lawyer, previous reports about the incident have been inaccurate. Our freedom of information act requests has revealed that, despite multiple complaints from concerned citizens and many near misses, the city of Westlake Village refused on at least five occasions (2014/2017/2018/2019) to make the crossing safe.. The Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation online. A memorial service was held for Mark and Jacob on Oct. 7 at their school in Thousand Oaks: Ascension Lutheran School. 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.. Emailus. 2023 www.vcstar.com. At a hearing last December, the judge also said that the victims' parents, have been enduring 'torture and heartbreak' while the case drags on. Rebecca Grossman and attorneys arrive for a court hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court for driving DUI and killing two children as they were crossing the street in Westlake Village in Los Angeles County and leaving the scene of the accident, Rebecca Grossman leaves Los Angeles Superior Court after a hearing for DUI and killing two children as they were crossing the street in Westlake Village in Los Angeles County. Nancy Iskander has relived the night her two children died in front of her more times than she can remember. He was eventually located up the roadway, his skateboard broken and his shoes off his feet. 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. Grossman wasallegedly engaged in a high-speed game of chicken at the time with former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson when she struck the brothers with her car. Crash that Killed Pregnant Mother, Her Son & 4 Others. Breaking crime and justice news on 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace' Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. The driver accused of killing the boys is 57-year-old Rebecca Grossman, and was allegedly drunk during the horrific accident. Samuels said it was "unfair" on the Iskander family for the case to go on for more than a year and had sympathized with them for their suffering. "I realized something happened to Mark and Jacob.". She has not been actually charged with DUI. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Authorities said the brothers were hit by a car in front of their parents and siblings as they crossed the street Tuesday night at Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village. He stands tall, he speaks with confidence. The vigil program will have speakers which include Nancy Iskander, Ascension Lutheran Church and School, Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Ventura County . Find top doctors who treat Infectious Liver Disease near you in Staten Island, NY. hitType: 'event', (Source: NBC News) 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. "I heard the engines from two SUVs coming at us at insane speeds," Iskander said. We are one of the worlds fastest growing Thats just not true.. 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. It is unfathomable to me how the state thinks it can prosecute someone while it is at the same time being sued for recklessness, and negligence for the very same incident.. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Two brothers were killed when they were hit by a car, in Westlake Village, Calif., Sept. 29, 2020. "Iheard a really loud noise, I looked back and I either felt or saw the other car speeding also," Iskander said. The crash occurred the evening of Sept. 29, 2020, along Triunfo Canyon Roadat the intersection with Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village. She then allegedly ran over that boy and continued to drive for another quarter mile before she, told police, her car engine cut off.. All rights reserved. We pray daily for the family, their loved ones, and the community. 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 . document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ The driverof the black car has since been charged with misdemeanor reckless drivingand his case remains pending. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The JUSTICE FOR MARK AND JACAOB ISKANDER GROUP is for all our neighbors to share their love and support for the Iskander family. Supporters of the Iskander family were also at the hearing, wearing buttons that read Justice for Mark and Jacob.. Jacob and Mark's mother Nancy Iskander testified to walking with three of her sons at the crosswalk. Mark was allegedly carried 100ft on the hood of Grossman's car before she braked, at which point he fell off the car and she ran him over again as she fled the scene, say prosecutors. 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. 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. Crash that Killed Pregnant Mom, 4 Others Was Involved in 13 Prior Wrecks: Prosecutors, Driver Charged with DWI and Murder Allegedly Smirked as He Ran Over Boy, 6, Multiple Times: Grandfather. Oxygen.com has reached out to Buzbee for comment but did not immediately hear back. The victims were Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8. These victims lost two children - it's detrimental to them that this is taking so long." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), People dropped off flowers and toys near the crosswalk close to the crash. 'Justice must be served, regardless of Grossman's financial means, status, privilege and connections,' declared one. Our sympathies are with all who have been affected.". 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 Oxygen.com reporting. Rebecca Grossman, the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, has been identified as the suspect in a crash that killed two young brothers in Westlake Village. "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. Buzbee said that the city engineer had determined the crossing was on a blind curve, but told Law and Crime the city took no action. "I still see it every night. Mark and Jacob Iskander. Grossman has pleaded not guilty. After Iskander's testimony, four more witnesses were called to the stand. } The comments below have not been moderated. "When they were little I thought it was my job to teach them but especially in the last year I think it was the opposite. She was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and DUI after her front-end-damaged car broke down a quarter mile from the crash site. "It was the pandemic. Buzbee said that the city engineer had determined that the crossing was on a blind curve, but still the city did not take action. The driver, Rebecca Grossman,. I pray for every mom whos lost a son, she said, according to the Star. But said neither Grossman's white Mercedes Benz nor Scott Erickson's black SUV stopped. They probably dont know exactly what happened. Her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, is also a plastic surgeon. The boys' mother, Nancy Iskander was also seen wearing one of the T-shirts as she thanked the protesters for their support. hitType: 'event', Pray for the Iskander family tonight and hold your loved ones close. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of RELATED: 2 brothers killed in apparent street racing crash; suspect ID'ed as member of prominent Grossman family. Police claim that when the boys were hit by her car, Grossman was driving over the 45mph speed limit and may have been racing with her friend and near-neighbor, World Series-winning pitcher Scott Erickson, 54, while the two were on their way to the same house party. On September 14, Samuels blasted Grossman for not showing up at her previous five scheduled court appearances, all of which were continued. 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. Justice for Mark and Jacob Iskander.'. Both children were pronounced dead that night. 1 Dead, 12 Injured After Car Runs Into Taco Stand in Pomona, Calif. Our family is super excited and invites you to visit the Mark We are ready to welcome children in the newly built Mark and Jacob Iskander Orphanage! 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category . According to the sheriff's department, after the collision, it appears one of the boys was carried for more than a hundred feet down the road on the hood of the car. The 57-year-old was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter for running over the kids aged 11 and 9. As per the family's wishes, all contributions will be donated to a charity of their choosing in honor of Mark and Jacob. Dozens gathered in Westlake Village Wednesday evening to remember two brothers, ages 9 and 11, killed in a horrific car crash that may have involved drinking and street racing. Once her testimony finished, Iskander was cross-examined by Grossman's attorney Alan Eisner. He had an unmatched sense of humor and shared his charisma with his brother, Jacob. 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. ga('ads.send', { eventAction: 'load' The September 29 incident killed 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander, who were in a marked crosswalk in Westlake Village with their parents and siblings when Grossman allegedly slammed into them. The Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation celebrates the extraordinary lives of Mark and Jacob Iskander by continuing their mission of love and light. 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. ga('ads.send', { let gads_event; a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison if convicted, The crash occurred the evening of Sept. 29, 2020, along Triunfo Canyon Road, has since been charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { }); 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. Back at the September 14 trial, she said in court, "We can't keep continuing this. 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. On Sept. 29, 2020, Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, had tried to cross Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive when they were hit by a passing car, killing them both. "The children were walking with their family. Get your daily crime on! Grossman is the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation. "This is a devastating loss for our community," State Senator Henry Stern tweeted. 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. } One boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other children are said to have been pulled out of harm's way. Samuels will then decide if Grossman should be ordered to stand trial or not. I was very proud of them," Karim said. The brothers were identified by friends and by the Acorn newspaper as 9-year-old Jacob Iskander and 11-year-old Mark. They want to know what happened. Jacob Iskander would have turned 11 on this coming Friday, his mother Nancy Iskander told the Ventura County Star after Tuesdays hearing. Brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 8, were walking with their parents and siblings in Westlake Village, California, in September 2020 when they were struck and killed. eventAction: 'render' After the first car passed, the second vehicle, a white Mercedes GLE 43, drove through the crosswalk. According to FR24 News, the boys parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, were walking with their four children at the time of the crash. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. 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"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. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. The 57-year-old was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter for running over the kids aged 11 and 9. An attorney for Grossman could not be immediately identified by PEOPLE and it is not clear if she has entered a plea at this time. 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She accused of running over and killing two young brothers while they were in the crosswalk at a Westlake Village intersection in September 2020. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Police officers claimed the driver of the vehicle was under the influence and now Rebecca Grossman is on trial over the accident. They managed to pull two of their children to safety but Jacob and Mark Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. Iskander said she waved frantically to try to get the drivers' attention before pushing her 5-year-old son out of the way. Grossman is the co-founder and head of the Grossman Burn Foundation and is a well-known socialite in Los Angeles. ABC News could not immediately reach the Grossman Burn Center for comment. The boys, one riding a scooter and the other on roller skates, were walking with their parents and . The children were crossing a street in Westlake Village when they were hit by a driver just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Grossman was driving a Mercedes-Benz SUV. The park carries special meaning for the Iskander family because it was the boys' neighborhood playground. asked Ryan Gould, the prosecutor in the case. He was devoted to both learning and memorizing the word of God, and he spread it to everyone he met through his actions and infectious smile. Mark was carried for more than 100 feet down the road on the hood of Rebecca Grossman's car. She was allegedly street racing against former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson at the time; the posted speed limit was 45 mph. The sheriff's department said they arrested 57-year-old Rebecca Grossman for vehicular manslaughter and DUI. Investigators had cordoned off a crosswalk with crime scene tape, and a scooter and a set of roller blades were seen nearby the crash location after the collision. Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, arrives at Van Nuys Courthouse for her preliminary hearing. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); On the evening of September 29, Mark and Jacob Iskander of Westlake Village lost their lives at the hand of a suspected DUI driver while crossing a crosswalk south of Westlake lake. According to People, 11-year-old Mark and 9-year-old Jacob Iskander from California were killed in front of their parents after a driver rammed into the boys. hitType: 'event', She added, "They need to hear the evidence. 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 . },false) We at Sweet Lawyers wish them strength and comfort during this difficult time. 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. If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison. 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. 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. In September 2020, the young lives of Mark and Jacob Iskander were tragically taken by a drunk driver in a hit and run accident while on a family walk in their neighborhood in California. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Who is James Khuri? RELATED:Electrocution Deaths Of Wisconsin Couple Linked To Dangerous Viral Art TikTok Trend. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ The young kids were walking with their parents and two siblings. Iskander said she grabbed Zachary and threw him toward the curb before jumping out of the way herself. Grossman could receive a sentence of up to 34 years to life in state prison if she is convicted as charged, the DA's office said. 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. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ The family of six left their home in theThree Springs neighborhood and went southon Triunfo Canyon Road, she recounted on the stand in the Van Nuys courthouse. The suspect was identified as 57-year-old Rebecca Grossman, who has familial ties to the founder of the Grossman Burn Center. It is unfathomable to me how the State thinks it can prosecute someone while it is at the same time being sued for recklessness, and negligence for the very same incident.. In September 2020, Rebecca Grossman ran over two boys Mark and Jacob Iskander with her Mercedes in West Lake, California. He had a strong personality, strong muscles and strong faith. A Change.org petition was started after the Iskander boys' deaths, demanding for Grossman to be "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.". Grossman lives in a sprawling $9.5million mansion in Hidden Hills that features nine bedrooms and 12 bathrooms on the same street where Full House actress Lori Loughlin lives, A view of the pool area of the home is shown in the estate's sprawling backyard. Sheriffs deputies had previously clocked her speed as exceeding 80 miles per hour just seconds before. 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. After allegedly hitting the Iskander brothers, witnesses said Grossman fled the scene before the vehicle stalled about a quarter-mile away. The suspected driver, Rebecca Grossman, was located at or near the crash site, according to the sheriff's office. Inside LA millionaire's wealth as son, 17, is charged in Monique Munoz's death. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' MARK & JACOB The Mark & Jacob Foundation Skip to Content Mark and Jacob are missed each and every day, but the tremendous pain of their absence is being used for a greater purpose. According to her lawyer, previous reports about the incident have been inaccurate. Rebecca Grossman, 57, who is a co-founder . 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. In front of horrified parents, 11-year-old Mark and 9-year-old Jacob Iskander were struck and killed on the highway. The founder of a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization has been charged with the murder of two school-aged boys in a hit-and-run in September. Jacob loved running track because it allowed him to showcase his speed, his strength, and his sportsmanship. 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. 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.