VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy testified on Wednesday in the murder trial of socialite Rebecca Grossman about a collision in Westlake Village that left two boys dead. The deputy stated he only found evidence of debris from one white vehicle at the scene, contradicting the defense’s claim that another vehicle was involved.
Deputy Rafael Mejia told the Van Nuys jury that he arrived at the scene shortly after the collision on September 29, 2020, and was instructed to search for a white vehicle with front-end damage. He reported finding Grossman standing outside her white Mercedes-Benz SUV about three-tenths of a mile away, with front-end damage.
Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, is facing charges of murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and hit-and-run driving resulting in death. The prosecution alleges that she was speeding at the time of the collision, leading to the death of the two boys.
During the trial, Grossman’s attorneys argued that she was not the driver responsible for the deadly crash, blaming former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, whom they claim was driving a black Mercedes SUV just ahead of Grossman’s white Mercedes SUV.
However, the sheriff’s deputy testified that he did not find any debris consistent with a black SUV or any kind of black vehicle at the scene. He also mentioned finding a Mercedes-Benz emblem among the debris, indicating that the crash involved a white vehicle.
The deputy stated that he smelled alcohol coming from Grossman and called for a DUI investigation. He also reported on Grossman’s conversation with law enforcement, where she expressed uncertainty about hitting something and mentioned her husband’s ability to help the children involved in the collision.
Overall, the testimony from the sheriff’s deputy contradicts the defense’s assertions, underscoring the prosecution’s case against Grossman. The trial continues to shed light on the events of that tragic day and the legal battle that has ensued.