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 in prison 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.

Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 8, were with their family Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, when they were struck and killed in Westlake Village by a Mercedes driven by Rebecca Grossman, the chairwoman of the Grossman Burn Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church)

FILE – Rebecca Grossman, left, and daughter head to the courthouse in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2024. The Southern California socialite was sentenced Monday, June 10, 2024, to 15 years to life in prison for the hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers in a crosswalk more than three years ago. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP, File)

Jeanne Wong places flowers at the memorial for Mark and Jacob Iskander who were killed after being struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village, CA. Rebecca Grossman, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in connection with the crash. (photo by Andy Holzman)

A memorial is growing for Mark and Jacob Iskander who were killed after being struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village, CA. Rebecca Grossman, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in connection with the crash and was released from jail Thursday morning. (photo by Andy Holzman)

Nadine and Mark Henry visit the memorial for Mark and Jacob Iskander who were killed after being struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village, CA. Rebecca Grossman, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in connection with the crash and was released from jail Thursday morning. (photo by Andy Holzman)

On Oct. 1, 2020, cars pass by the crosswalk at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive where Mark and Jacob Iskander were struck and killed on Sept. 29, 2020, by a vehicle in Westlake Village. Rebecca Grossman, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was convicted of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run driving in connection with the boys’ deaths. She awaits sentencing in Van Nuys on June 10, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman/Contributing Photographer)

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

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

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

The deadly crash occurred on the evening of Sept. 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 speeding at up to 81 mph (130 kph) and tapped her brakes, slowing to 73 mph (117 kph), less than two seconds before a collision that set off her airbags.