2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Do you have kids, sir? She was given permission last year to drive after having been barred from driving for more than a year. First published on May 20, 2022 / 3:11 PM. Our thoughts are with the family and community of Mark and Jacob Iskander . Jacob and Zachary were holed up all day and wanted to get some fresh air," the mother of four said. WESTLAKE VILLAGE (CBSLA) Two young brothers have died after a crash in Westlake Village on Tuesday night. They didnt stop at the intersection. Westlake Village, CA (September 30, 2020) - On Tuesday night, Mark and Jacob Iskander died after a pedestrian accident on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village. "I just miss that. One year ago, their lives changed in an instantthe hopes and dreams that Nancy and Karim Iskander once held for their two oldest sons, Mark and Jacob . "As [their mother] realized two cars were speeding her way, she was able to reach out and grab one of her children off of a Razor scooter, with another child in the stroller as the car entered the intersection and hit the other two.". Data from the "black box" in Grossman's white SUV indicated she was traveling at 73 mph five seconds before the collision, up to 81 mph at two seconds before the collision and then 73 mph at the time of the collision, according to the prosecutor's filing. [], 1 Hospitalized in Fresno Traffic Accident Fresno, CA (May 2, 2023) Minutes before 1 a.m. on Sunday, a female pedestrian sustained injuries following a Thesta Street hit-and-run crash. WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two years ago, the Iskander family - Nancy Iskander and her four children - were in a crosswalk when she says she heard two speeding cars. She thanked God for her sons and for the support of the community. ", In a statement, the Grossman Burn Center says "Like our entire community, the Grossman Burn Center family at West Hills Hospital is terribly saddened by this tragedy. The case has torn into the fabric of the tony suburbs that stretch from Hidden Hills to Westlake Village. I see him every night.. A community is in shock after two little boys were killed by a suspected DUI driver Tuesday night in Westlake Village. Meanwhile, the officers closed Triunfo Canyon Road between Lindero Canyon Road and Twin Lakes Ridge for the investigation. (null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); We have answers. Grossman was charged in December 2020 with two felony counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. A family spokesperson told FOX 11 the pretrial hearing was postponed after the defense failed to turn in several pieces of discovery Tuesday. A 57-year-old woman has been charged with fatally running over two young boys then fleeing the scene in September, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced today. Mark succumbed to his injuries at the scene and Jacob passed away just hours later in a nearby hospital. "I realized something happened to Mark and Jacob.". But the next time she saw her two older boys, they were near lifeless on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village, struck by one of the speeding sport utility vehicles, she said at a preliminary hearing in the murder case against Rebecca Grossman. Her legal team was dealt a blow three weeks ago when they were unable to have the murder charges dismissed. regarding the deaths of brothers Mark Iskander, 11 . Salvador Becerra. At a Westlake Village neighborhood park, around 100 friends and supporters gathered to mark the second anniversary and to give support to the Iskander family. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Karim also answers to Iskander Karim, Karim Saad Iskander and Karim S Iskander, and perhaps a couple of other names. The driverof the black car has since been charged with misdemeanor reckless drivingand his case remains pending. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Adrain Tiburcio-Lopez Arrested in Orondo DUI Crash Orondo, WA (May 2, 2023) At about 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Germane Morales sustained injuries while the authorities arrested Adrain Tiburcio-Lopez, 29, in a DUI collision on State Route 97. was ordered in May to stand trial on murder and other charges stemming from the September 2020 deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother, Jacob. Authorities say she was under the influence when the accident occurred. The hearing was continued to Tuesday morning with at least a half-dozen more witnesses expected to testify. A sign outside the courthouse includes an image of Mark Iskander, 11, left, and his brother Jacob Iskander, 8. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This website is designed for general information only, please see our disclaimer. Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. Can you try to imagine? she asked Alan Eisner, one of Grossmans legal team questioning her. The bravery and dignity of Nancy Iskander, in the face of such grief, has captured the hearts of the local Westlake Village community, who have rallied around the grieving mother and her family. Karim has 6 jobs listed on their profile. Nancy Iskander testified Monday that neither Grossmans white Mercedes-Benz nor former Dodger Scott Ericksons black SUV stopped and that Mark was carried a considerable distance down the road by Grossmans car before she stopped. -- to kind of deter people from speeding," she said. On the day of the crash, the boys were walking with their family about 7:10 p.m. and crossing a three-way intersection with a marked crosswalk but no stoplight. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Authorities have not said whether speed was a factor in the crash, but the sun had set by the time of the crash, and the street can be dark. "The family was in a marked crosswalk," said LASD Capt. Over 18 months after a hit-and-run crash killed her 11-year-old son Mark and 8-year-old son Jacob, Iskander appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday to testify in the preliminary hearing. The speed was insane, she said of the two SUVs. Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the wife of Dr. Peter Grossman, who is the director of the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills and son of the center's late founder, lost her motion to the Supreme Court last month to have the murder charges against her dismissed. "I know on this street, they really do speed quite a bit throughout the day," resident Robert Heninger said. Karim, left, and Nancy Iskander leave Van Nuys Courthouse during a lunch break from the preliminary hearing Monday. after 'crooked' Ilhan Omar is blasted, Pelosi to hold House vote on new stimulus package today that could send $1,200 checks to Americans THIS MONTH, Cyclist Quinn Simmons suspended from professional team for 'divisive & incendiary' tweet in support of Trump, Coronavirus swab test poked so far up womans nose it caused her brain to LEAK, I woke up bloodied & bruised in the road after 80mph boy racer horror crash that killed my beautiful best friend. The 57-year-old socialite and co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation has been accused of crashing her silver Mercedes into the two boys at approximately 7.10pm on September 29. The crash occurred Sept. 29 on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village. Ventura County Star 0:05 0:42 Two years after brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander were killed while crossing a Westlake Village street, dozens of neighbors, friends and family clad in white. At the hearing in May, the prosecutor said Grossman had received two speeding tickets -- including one in May 2020 and another in March 2013. Rebecca Grossman appears in court on murder charges, 2020 crash in Westlake Village that killed two boys. All rights reserved. Before moving to Nancy's current city of Westlake Village, CA, Nancy lived in Cedar Park TX, Houston TX and Bellaire TX. She says the support has helped her through. He was the fighter, the runner, the boxer," said Iskander. Residents in the area say Triunfo Canyon is a popular place to walk because it is an easy loop with a view of Westlake Village's lake. Nancy Iskander, second from right, is consoled during a break from a hearing for Rebecca Grossman, who is charged with murder in a crash in Westlake Village that killed Iskanders sons Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8. Iskander said she could not say whether she saw Grossmans car hit her children because she was diving with her 5-year-old out of the way of the black car driven by Erickson, which passed first. He can be reached by calling805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com. She testified that her 5-year-old son Zachary watched paramedics perform CPR on his brother Jacob. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Grossman, left and pictured with her husband, was reportedly released on a $2million bond after the crash, Nine-year-old Jacob Iskander and 11-year-old Mark did not survive the crash, Credit: Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, One boy was carried approximately 100 feet on the hood of the car, Mourners were seen placing flowers near the scene of the accident, Following in horrific crash, a set of rollerblades and a scooter were spotted close by, Rebecca Grossman is pictured as she accepts an award in May 2017, Drunk socialite ex-magazine boss hits & kills 2 brothers in front of parents & carries one on car hood for 100 FEET, Pelosi calls Proud Boys far-right group members 'the president's friends' and claims Trump gave them a 'green light', Spurned lover stabbed his sleeping ex to death because she was seeing another man, Chinese vlogger, 30, dies in agony 16 days after being set on fire by abusive ex-husband during live stream, Minnesota crowd at Trump rally chants 'LOCK HER UP!' Investigators tell Eyewitness News they have surveillance video of the incident. It haunts me every night, she said. "It breaks my heart. Grossman allegedly continued driving after striking the boys, eventually stopping about a quarter-mile away from the scene when her car engine stopped running, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The family of six left their home in theThree Springs neighborhood and went southon Triunfo Canyon Road, she recounted on the stand in the Van Nuys courthouse. The brothers were identified by friends and by the Acorn newspaper as 9-year-old Jacob Iskander and 11-year-old Mark. Investigators say they believe she was racing another driver when it happened. A court date was set Wednesday for the driver accused in a high-profile hit-and-run that killed two brothers in Westlake Village in 2020. . Tell us about your situation. After Iskander's testimony, four more witnesses were called to the stand. WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. . Authorities are seeking more information on the second vehicle involved. PublishedSeptember 29, 2022 at 11:13 AM PDT. I heard the noise and looked, felt and saw the car speeding, Iskander said. "The mother and father were able to pull the other two children back in time, and the vehicle struck the two other children.". Investigating officers said a northbound car was driven by a 23-year-old man in the southbound lanes one and two of the freeway. "It was the pandemic. Earlier this month, Grossman went to court to request the dismissal of the murder charges, a request which was rejected by the judge. Testing done by the Orange County crime lab showed a lower amount below the legal limit, according to a witness called by the defense. But the unimaginable grief and pain is etched on her face as her eyes spill over with tears, as she talks to me. "It's senseless because it could have been avoided by using Uber or Lyft or even calling a friend," Becerra said. 1K followers . The 57-year-old socialite and co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation has been accused of crashing her silver Mercedes into the two boys at approximately 7.10pm on September 29. Once her testimony finished, Iskander was cross-examined by Grossman's attorney Alan Eisner. "Then I had to sit in the hospital and watch him turn blue," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. During a vigorous cross-examination that again brought her to tears, Iskander fired back, often quickly rebutting questions asking her to get into the details of what she saw. Iskander, sometimes crying and other times staring intensely at Grossman, said she sees those moments in her nightmares day after day. The woman charged with their murder - Rebecca Grossman - formally entered pleas of not guilty on all charges and denied all special circumstance allegations, on Friday. They didnt stop before the intersection. The crash occurred the evening of Sept. 29, 2020, along Triunfo Canyon Road at the intersection with Saddle Mountain Drive in Westlake Village. var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!! Translate, L.A. County Home211 L.A. CountyLA County Helps. asked Ryan Gould, the prosecutor in the case. Rebecca Grossman was driving over 70 mph the night she hit 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander in a Westlake Village crosswalk, according to a civil suit filed by the boys' parents. He recalled Grossman drinking a margarita or part of one and said she was not impaired. "He liked to protect me, he would say 'Mom, I'm your body-guard, you should never worry cos I'm your body-guard'.". It is a very tragic situation. Rebecca Grossman, the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, has been identified as the suspect in a crash that killed two young brothers in Westlake Village. When she turned, she saw Jacob lying in the roadway "as if he was sleeping," but Mark was nowhere to be found. "Zachary, their little brother, is insisting every day on wearing their clothes," she told KCLU of the way the tragedy has affected their family. Three Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies then took the stand: Deputy Jason McGee, who responded to the crash and accompanied Grossman to her blood draw at a hospital; Deputy Todd Cash, who issued Grossman a speeding ticket on May 8, 2020, along Kanan Dume Road in Malibu; and lastlyDeputy Richard Curry, who was responsible for retrieving crash information recorded bythe Event Data Recorder in Grossman's vehicle on Oct. 6, 2020. One of those cars struck her sons Mark and Jacob. Grossman was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies the day of the crash and subsequently released Oct. 1, 2020, on bond. Two years ago two young boys were struck and killed by a speeding car as they crossed a Westlake Village street. Pray for the Iskander family tonight and hold your loved ones close. Some days I miss just waking up, walking to their rooms finding them in their beds and waking them up," she said. Usually, such cases are brought if the driver who kills is under the influence and has a prior driving-under-the-influence conviction with subsequent DUI education classes. If your family has been affected by an unexpected loss, call Sweet Lawyers immediately at (800) 674-7854 so we can move forward with your case, while you focus on your recovery and tending to your family. In a conversation with an operator through a Mercedes-Benz service following the crash, Grossman said she didn't know if she had hit anyone and that she was driving down the road when her airbag exploded. Rebecca Grossman, 57, was arrested on two counts of vehicular manslaughter and is being held on $2 million bail. If Mark and Jacob were here today they'd be 13 and 10, two young men," she said. As they used the marked pedestrian crosswalk, Nancy recalled to a court earlier this year, hearing the sound of two speeding cars and trying to dive out of their way. Anyone who was a witness or may have information about the crash can contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's station's traffic investigators at (818) 878-1808. Westlake Village, California, United States. Grossman, 58, has been ordered to stand trial on murder charges in the 2020 crash in Westlake Village that killed two boys - 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his brother, 8-year-old Jacob.. The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Station is urging anyone with information on the crash to call 818-878-1808. Rebecca Grossman, 59, was ordered on May 5 to stand trial on murder and other charges stemming from the September 2020 deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother, Jacob. "I still see it every night. "The children were walking with their family," he said. Nancy Iskander was clusteredwith her three sons she and Jacob were on roller skates, Mark rode a skateboard andZachary, 5, took his scooter. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Eisner repeatedly attempted to get Iskander to say that Ericksons car trapped her two boys in a way that put them in front of Grossmans Mercedes. Another retired baseball star, Royce Clayton, now a coach at the Oaks Christian School, testified he drank a margarita with Grossman and Erickson at Julios in Westlake Village shortly before the crash. The boys' deaths prompted an. And Jacob? She finally pulled over a mile and a half away. Indications are Rebecca Grossman's trial could begin sometime next year, maybe in the spring. On September 29, 2020, Grossman allegedly drove at excessive speeds on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village, and struck and killed 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander, who were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with their parents. Nancy Iskander has been in court and gave evidence in the pre-trial hearing for the driver of the vehicle, Rebecca Grossman, who is charged with two felony counts of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with one felony count of hit and run driving resulting in death. 2023 www.vcstar.com. WSP says that the fatal head-on crash happened at Talbot Street, early Sunday morning. He likes to sleep in Mark's room. Grossman faces 34 years to life in prison if convicted. She has reportedly been released on a $2million bond, according to jail records. According to FR24 News, the boys parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, were walking with their four children at the time of the crash. Iskander said she grabbed Zachary and threw him toward the curb before jumping out of the way herself. In the courtroom, some members of the Westlake Village community wore T-shirts decrying Justice Delayed for the 19 months that have passed since the boys deaths. Nancy Iskander was looking for fresh air and exercise during the pandemic lockdown, for her family of four children as they went out close to their home in Westlake Village. After allegedly striking the children, Grossman allegedly continued driving . / KCAL News. The sheriff's detective testified that a blood-alcohol sample taken from Grossman after she struck the boys showed that her blood-alcohol level was 0.08% -- the amount considered unlawful. Sheriff's officials said six family members were crossing the three- way intersection -- which does not have a stoplight -- in the crosswalk when the mother heard a car speeding toward them and both parents reached out to protect two of their children, but the two boys were too far out in the intersection and were struck. Shown the splintered and shattered skateboard of her son Mark, she wept profusely. Salvador Becerra of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Following the horrific crash, a set of rollerblades and a scooter were spotted close by. Grossman was arrested on two counts of vehicular manslaughter. The boys were crossing the street with their family in a . Rebecca Grossman, center, arrives at Van Nuys Courthouse for her preliminary hearing Monday. Grossman could face a maximum of 34 years to life in prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office. Please enter valid email address to continue. "Two young boys with an entire lifetime ahead of them. / KCAL News. Nancy Iskander has relived the night her two children died in front of her more times than she can remember. Before entering the court, a Westlake Village pastor for Nancy and Karim Iskander gathered the crowd in a prayer huddle wrapped around the boys mother. On September 29, 2020, Grossman allegedly drove at excessive speeds on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village, and struck and killed 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander, who were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with their parents. Her husband and daughter were jogging nearby when her life was torn apart so fast she cannot recall every frame, she said. But they also . One of those. At the same [], 100% Free Confidential Consultation We Dont Charge You a Penny Unless We Win. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. We understand that the aftermath of an accident can be traumatic and overwhelming. Mark died at the scene, and Jacob would die hours later at the hospital. He didnt witness the accident or have any part in causing it or play any role in it, his attorney Mark Werksman said last year. The second was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a few hours later, according to the Los Angeles County sheriff's Department. A FORMER magazine publisher was allegedly drunk when she fatally struck two brothers in her car in front their horrified parents, according to reports. You can also find him on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs. The Sept. 29, 2020 crash along Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive left brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8, dead. The . Grossman is the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation. Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander were tragically killed in an auto accident by an "alleged" drunk driver in September, 2020. Reports say that a northbound vehicle collided head-on [], Officers Respond to Milton Wrong-Way Crash Milton, WA (May 1, 2023) On Saturday, injuries have been reported following a 5-vehicle crash on State Route 161, north of 28th Street. They didnt stop when an 11-year-old was on the hood of the car. Prosecutors allege that Grossman drove at excessive speeds on Triunfo Canyon Road and struck the two boys as they were crossing the street with their parents in a marked crosswalk Sept. 29, 2020. Nine-year-old Jacob Iskander and his brother Mark, 11, did not survive the crash, according to ABC7. One minute he was skating; the next minute he was lying there, she said, pausing and adding, I will say it dead.. Nancy Iskander was looking for fresh air and exercise during the pandemic lockdown, for her family of four children as they went out close to their home in Westlake Village. One boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Later reports confirmed that a car driven by a drunk driver hit the two boys. She remembers Mark as a "super smart boy" who wanted to be a neurosurgeon. If you or your family are involved or affected by this accident and would like the official Police Report of this incident, Sweet Lawyers may be able to help. Grossman, 58, has been ordered to stand trial on murder charges in the 2020 crash in Westlake Village that killed two boys 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his brother, 8-year-old Jacob. He was eventually located up the roadway, his skateboard broken and his shoes off his feet. Dozens gathered in Westlake Village Wednesday evening to remember two brothers, ages 9 and 11, killed in a horrific car crash that may have involved drinking and street racing. The mother and father were able to pull the other two children back in time, and the vehicle struck the two other children," said Capt. But they also say drivers do not pay attention to the 45 mph speed limit. The . Deputies responded to the fatal accident at about 7:10 p.m. and located the two young brothers, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said. The suspect was identified as 57-year-old Rebecca Grossman, who has familial ties to the founder of the Grossman Burn Center. Eisner and colleague Dmitry Gorin attempted to shift the blame from Grossman repeatedly. Two SUVs were barreling toward the crosswalk. Video shows customer confront, scuffle with alleged thief at IE store, Nike celebrates Gianna Bryant's 17th birthday with 'Gigi's Way' video, Over 30 injured, at least 6 dead in crashes during Illinois dust storm. She's been out on bail since the collision. If convicted as charged, Grossman faces a possible maximum sentence of 34 years to life in state prison. Robert Victor, Karen White and Martin White, and many others are family members and associates of Nancy. Nancy Iskander's youngest two sons, Mark, 11 and 8-year-old Jacob were killed while using a crosswalk in Westlake Village in September 2020. Nancy Iskander. Video shows customer confront, scuffle with alleged thief at IE store, Nike celebrates Gianna Bryant's 17th birthday with 'Gigi's Way' video, Over 30 injured, at least 6 dead in crashes during Illinois dust storm. Courtesy of. Deputies responded to the fatal accident at about 7:10 p.m. and located the two young brothers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Mark Iskander was a sixth grader at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, while Jacob Iskander attended Ascension Lutheran School in Thousand Oaks. In this case, Grossman has two prior speeding tickets on a nearby freeway a decade ago and that same year on Kanan Road in Malibu. As they approached the intersection with Saddle Mountain Drive, Iskander and her son Mark had the idea of crossing the road for a view of Westlake Lake. Her husband and daughter went ahead as Nancy, along with her sons Mark, Jacob and Zachary decided to take a look at the lake on the other side of the road. An attorney will fight on your behalf, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve to cover any and all financial burdens. (Al Seib /. Socialite Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, appeared in court Friday for an arraignment hearing that was postponed until next month. She ledwith Zachary by her side as Jacob and Mark followed a half-step behind her. The street has two lanes of traffic and bike lanes on each side, plus a dividing median, and they were only halfway across when she noticed a loud noise. Sometimes Nancy goes by various nicknames including Nancy Guirguis Iskander, Nancy Guirguis and Nancy G Iskander.