An expert witness for the prosecution in the murder trial of Rebecca Grossman testifies that speed was the cause of the collision that killed two young brothers in Westlake Village.
Margaret Carrero was at the courthouse in Van Nuys.
The expert, whose research specialty is human factors related to drivers' ability to recognize and respond to hazards, said Grossman's response time is in the 'normal range,' but said the issue is that at 81 miles per hour, 100% of drivers crash, so it boils down to speed.
According to black box data from Grossman's car, the socialite was doing 81 mph two seconds before the crash that killed 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother, Jacob, and 73 mph at impact.
Grossman's defense has contended that her then-boyfriend, former Dodger's pitcher Scott Erickson's black Mercedes SUV hit the children first, and seconds later, they hit Grossman's car.
During cross-examination, Grossman's lawyers asked the expert if she could have done anything to avoid the collision in the proposed scenario; the expert said no, airborne objects would be difficult to avoid, but the facts don't support their claim.
This isn't the first time Grossman has faced legal trouble due to speeding.
In March of 2013, more than 7 years before the deadly collision, Grossman was clocked going 92 mph on the 101 near Kanan Rd.
The CHP officer who pulled her over at the time testified Thursday that Grossman apologized when he stopped her and said she was rushing to pick up her children because her husband was called into work at the Grossman Burn Center, where he is the medical director.
The officer said he warned her of the dangers of speeding, which he noted frustrated Grossman.
She allegedly told the officer she hoped he wouldn't need the use of the burn center that bears her last name in the future.
During cross-examination, one of Grossman's lawyers honed in on the fact that she was apologetic.
Grossman could face a maximum of 34 years to life in state prison, if she’s convicted as charged.
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