Former Oaks Christian coach gives emotional testimony in Grossman civil case

Thousand Oaks Acorn
May 7, 2026
It’s one of those stories that feels heavy no matter how much time passes, and this week it returned to the forefront of our community’s conscience. According to the *Thousand Oaks Acorn*, former Oaks Christian baseball coach Royce Clayton took the stand on May 1 in the civil case of *Iskander vs. Grossman*, giving emotional testimony about what he knew regarding the 2020 crash that killed two young brothers from Westlake Village. Clayton, who had been close friends with both drivers for decades, reportedly told police he learned incriminating details from Scott Erickson—the other driver and Rebecca Grossman’s ex-boyfriend—about the night of the tragedy.
For those of us who remember the shock that rippled through our neighborhoods when the Iskander family lost Mark and Jacob, this testimony feels like another raw chapter in a long, painful process. Clayton’s decision to come forward despite a 30-year friendship speaks to the gravity of what happened on that dark road. It’s a reminder that even in a close-knit community like ours—where coaches, parents, and kids cross paths at every Little League game and school event—justice sometimes demands heartbreaking choices. As this civil case moves forward, many of us are watching closely, hoping the Iskanders finally get the answers they deserve.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Thousand Oaks Acorn.
City
Thousand OaksSource
Thousand Oaks AcornPublished
May 7, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore Thousand OaksAll Thousand Oaks NewsMore News from Thousand Oaks
Thousand OaksFrom decline to design
Some good news for our corner of the 805: after years of watching enrollment slip, Conejo Valley Unified may finally be catching its breath. The district reported 15,332 students this fall — just one fewer than last year — and board members say the long slide looks like it's hit pause. For Thousand Oaks families, that stability matters. Enrollment drives school funding, staffing and the programs our kids count on, so a leveling-off is worth paying attention to. As the Thousand Oaks Acorn reported, officials shared the numbers at the Sept. 3 board meeting and are hopeful the trend holds. It's a small sign, but a hopeful one for a community that values its schools. Here's to more classrooms full of neighbors' kids.
Thousand OaksWhat San Jose drivers should know after a car accident
Neighbors, you may have seen the Thousand Oaks Acorn's recent piece on what San Jose drivers should know after a car accident, and it got us thinking about our own commutes here in the 805. Plenty of us log serious miles on the 101 and 23, and whether it's a fender-bender in Newbury Park or a pileup near the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, knowing your rights under California law matters. The Acorn's report highlights how heavy Silicon Valley traffic fuels a steady stream of claims up north — a good reminder that our own roads get busy too, especially during rush hour and event nights at the Civic Arts Plaza. If you're ever in a crash, document everything, exchange info, and don't rush a settlement. Stay safe out there, Thousand Oaks. A little preparation goes a long way.
Thousand OaksA morning that changed everything: Local residents remember 9/11, 25 years later
Twenty-five years ago this week, our corner of the 805 woke up to a world that would never feel quite the same. Many of us watched the towers fall from our living rooms in Thousand Oaks, from classrooms, from offices off the 101 — and some of our neighbors were in the skies above New York that morning, seeing it all firsthand. The Thousand Oaks Acorn recently gathered those local memories, and reading them is a reminder that 9/11 wasn't just a national story. It was a Thousand Oaks story too — of quiet car rides to school, of parents rushing home, of strangers comforting each other in parking lots. A quarter century on, sharing these recollections keeps the humanity of that day alive for neighbors who weren't old enough to remember. However you mark the anniversary, take a moment to check in on the people around you. That's the part of 9/11 we can still carry forward.