A Los Angeles jury has awarded $176 million in damages to the parents of two young brothers killed in a hit-and-run collision in 2020. The jury found both Rebecca Grossman, a California socialite, and Scott Erickson, a former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, negligent in the deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander. The damages were awarded for wrongful death and emotional distress, with the trial judge yet to determine how much each defendant must pay. Jurors are still considering whether to award additional punitive damages.
Grossman was sentenced in 2024 to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving in a separate criminal trial. Erickson testified that he has little left of the roughly $46 million he earned during his career and expressed regret over the incident, stating he wished he had acted differently to potentially save the boys' lives.
The crash occurred on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, a city on the western edge of Los Angeles County. According to testimony, Grossman and Erickson had been drinking margaritas together before the crash. Grossman was driving 73 mph in a 45 mph zone when her car struck the boys in a crosswalk. Erickson, who was driving ahead of her, was also found negligent for speeding and narrowly missing the family.
The boys' parents filed lawsuits against both Grossman and Erickson, arguing that the collision was 'totally preventable.' Grossman's attorney denied that her client was intoxicated, while Erickson admitted to poor judgment and behavior.