LA socialite, 57, is charged with murder for 'hitting and killing brothers, aged 11 and 9, while 'street racing' her Mercedes drunk and then fleeing the scene'
A Los Angeles socialite accused of killing two brothers in a hit-and-run crash in September has been charged with murder, local officials announced Wednesday.
Rebecca Grossman, 57, has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death, KTLA reports.
Grossman is a publisher the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the wife of renowned plastic reconstructive surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman.
She was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and DUI after smashing her speeding Mercedes into brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 9, in Westlake Village, California in September, police said. Grossman is said to have only stopped a mile and a half away after her engine cut out.
Rebecca Grossman, 57, has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death
She was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and DUI after smashing her speeding Mercedes into brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 9, in Westlake Village, California in September
Grossman pleaded not guilty Wednesday and her bail has been set for $2million. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 16.
The socialite could face 34 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's office.
Schoolboy Mark, 11, died at the scene while his nine-year-old brother, Jacob, died in hospital a few hours later.
The young boys were 'walking with their family' at the time of the tragedy, according to Capt Salvador Becerra of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
'It is a very tragic situation. The mother and father were able to pull the other two children back in time, and the vehicle struck the two other children,' Becerra said.
The Mercedes that struck and killed two brothers. Investigators said street racing may have been involved in the crash, which took place at 7.10pm on September 29 at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive
Memorial at the scene of the hit-and-run accident where Rebecca Grossman, 57, killed the two brothers
Police said one boy was carried 100ft on the hood of the car before Grossman braked, at which point he fell off the car and she ran him over again while fleeing the scene. She allegedly pulled over more than a mile and a half away after her engine cut out.
Grossman is part of the prominent Grossman family and along with her husband Peter, founded the Grossman Burn Foundation
Investigators said street racing may have been involved in the crash, which took place at 7.10pm on September 29 at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive.
Six family members were crossing the three-way intersection on a marked crosswalk on the road with no stoplight.
The children's parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, heard the speeding Mercedes and reached out to protect their children.
They were only able to grab their other two children, Zackary and Violet. Mark and Jacob were too far away and were hit by the car, police said.
Mark and Jacob were both members of the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church where they served as deacons.
'Our beloved angels/deacons Mark & Jacob Iskander departed to our heavenly father our Lord Jesus Christ after being hit by a car last night,' the church wrote.
Grossman is part of the prominent Grossman family and along with her husband Peter, founded the Grossman Burn Foundation. She is also the former publisher of Westlake Magazine.
DailyMail.com has learned Grossman, 57, was also involved in an accident in 2012 during which the other driver claimed she ran a red light while driving 65mph in a 40mph zone and plowed into the back of his car.
The driver, Jeffrey Hammer, died from ill health in 2018, but an insurance report seen by DailyMail.com includes his detailed description of the crash.
Ultimately, insurers found Grossman and Hammer were both 50% at fault for the accident – but that the wealthy foundation founder later launched a personal injury lawsuit against the then 60-year-old man, despite telling police at the accident scene that she wasn't injured.
Insurance paid out $100,000 in a settlement with Grossman, including compensation for her alleged injuries and about $15,000 of repairs to her Mercedes.
Grossman, 57, was also involved in an accident in 2012 during which the other driver claimed she ran a red light while driving 65mph in a 40mph zone and plowed into the back of his car
The driver, Jeffrey Hammer, died from ill health in 2018. Ultimately, insurers found Grossman and Hammer (pictured with his wife) were both 50% at fault for the accident.