Rebecca Grossman Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Fatal Crash

Rebecca Grossman Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Fatal Crash

Socialite Rebecca Grossman has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for her role in a Westlake Village car crash that killed two brothers, Jacob and Mark Iskander, in 2020. On July 10, 2020, Grossman was driving her Range Rover under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs when she struck the brothers’ Toyota Camry, killing them instantly. The crash occurred at the intersection of Lindero Canyon Road and Westlake Boulevard. Grossman initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, including two counts of second-degree murder. However, in March 2023, she entered into a plea agreement with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As part of the plea deal, Grossman pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Jacob Iskander. She also pleaded no contest to three other charges, including second-degree murder in connection with Mark Iskander’s death. At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Victoria G. Chavez called the crash a “tragic and unnecessary loss of life.” “The recklessness and disregard for human life that the defendant exhibited in her conduct that day is simply unfathomable,” said Judge Chavez. “No sentence that I could impose can undo the devastation that has been caused by her actions.” Grossman apologized for her actions in court, saying that she was “deeply sorry” for the pain she had caused the Iskander family. “I will never forget what I have done,” said Grossman. “I will live with this regret for the rest of my life.” The Iskander family expressed disappointment with the sentence, arguing that it was too lenient. “Fifteen years is nothing,” said the boys’ mother, Rita Iskander. “My sons’ lives were worth more than that.” The family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Grossman and other parties involved in the crash. The lawsuit is still pending.The Los Angeles Lakers’ Failed Pursuit of Dan Hurley

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Failed Pursuit of Dan Hurley

The Lakers’ interest in hiring Dan Hurley as their head coach made perfect sense for the franchise. They desperately needed a coach who would not only be great tactically, but also someone who could win over LeBron James. James had already publicly praised Hurley, and as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN noted, Hurley would have been an ideal mentor for James’ son, Bronny, if the Lakers drafted him later in the month. The Lakers’ plan seemed brilliant, combining sizzle, cleverness, and timing. However, the move raised one glaring concern: it made little sense for Hurley. Hurley had a better chance of winning a championship with UConn next season than he would with the Lakers. The decision for Hurley was not merely between leaving Connecticut for Los Angeles, but also between the Lakers job and any other NBA position he could potentially get in the future. Hurley has no reason to leave UConn for another college job, but if he aspires to coach in the NBA, he will have ample opportunities. Historical examples include Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens, who both left successful college programs after winning multiple titles to coach in the NBA. The NBA will continue to beckon Hurley. The Lakers, on the other hand, offered glamour, wealth, and innumerable potential pitfalls. Just six weeks prior, the Denver Nuggets had easily defeated the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Who could have predicted that the Lakers were then on the verge of another championship run? LeBron will turn 40 in December. Anthony Davis is 31 and has averaged only 52 games over the past four seasons. The Lakers possess the 17th pick in this year’s draft, which is considered relatively weak, and their 2025 first-round pick belongs to the New Orleans Pelicans. While the Lakers may have valued Hurley as a coach for LeBron and Bronny, how would that arrangement have benefited Hurley? LeBron’s exceptional playing ability stems partly from his deep understanding of the game and his ability to wield his power effectively. This means that coaching LeBron requires constant scrutiny and vigilance. Three of LeBron’s last five coaches were fired at the end of their second season with him. A fourth, Frank Vogel, won a championship in his first year but was still let go after his third. During that same period, the Golden State Warriors’ “two-timeline” strategy, which involved mentoring young players alongside winning veterans, proved unsustainable. How could Hurley simultaneously satisfy LeBron’s desire for another championship and develop Bronny into an NBA starter? Who would be held accountable if he failed? Consider the challenges that await whoever takes the Lakers job. Davis and James are still stars, and perhaps the Lakers will make a trade to give them another shot at a title. However, this is improbable, and even if it were to happen, the window of opportunity would be brief. The next Lakers coach will step into a complex and delicate power structure. James and Davis are both clients of Klutch Sports Group. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is a seasoned NBA executive. Klutch CEO Rich Paul will always advocate for his clients. Pelinka will attempt to balance everyone’s ambitions and egos while pursuing success. While all parties may enter the situation with good intentions, navigating this challenging dynamic will be crucial. At UConn, Hurley holds absolute power within his program. He controls recruitment and decision-making. No player on the UConn team could create a weeklong media frenzy about Hurley’s job security with a single emoji, as James did with Darvin Ham last season. This doesn’t imply that UConn is an ideal situation. College sports are in turmoil. However, Hurley has navigated this chaos as well as anyone. Sixteen months ago, Hurley was in his fifth season at UConn and had yet to advance the Huskies past the round of 64. He may have harbored NBA aspirations at the time, but they were not yet realistic. All of this is new to him. Hurley has now bought himself time to assess the landscape and determine whether he truly wants to coach in the pros. This will inform his decision-making process regarding which jobs and circumstances would offer him the best chance for success. For most coaches, an NBA job is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dan Hurley is not most coaches.Rebecca Grossman, a prominent socialite from Westlake Village, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of 11-year-old Jacob Iskander and his 8-year-old brother Mark in 2020. Grossman was driving under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs when she slammed into an SUV carrying the Iskander boys and their parents. The parents survived the crash, but the young brothers succumbed to their injuries. During her trial, Grossman’s defense attorneys argued that she had been misusing prescription drugs after suffering a miscarriage and was not aware of her impaired state. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Grossman had a history of driving under the influence and had been drinking heavily before the crash. In court, the victims’ parents expressed their devastation over the loss of their sons. They described Jacob as a bright, energetic boy who loved playing soccer and Mark as a sweet, gentle child who was always smiling. Grossman’s sentencing has sparked a debate about drunk driving and the need for stricter penalties for those who drive under the influence. Some believe that the sentence is too lenient, while others argue that it takes into account Grossman’s remorse and the fact that she had no prior criminal record. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the need to hold those responsible accountable.