A jury has awarded $176 million in damages to the family of two young brothers killed in a 2020 hit-and-run crash in Westlake Village, California. The verdict, reached Wednesday, found Rebecca Grossman and her ex-lover, former Major League Baseball player Scott Erickson, liable for the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8, respectively. The jury also determined that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice or oppression, potentially leading to additional punitive damages in a second phase of the trial.
The damages include $14 million to the parents for the loss of their sons' love and companionship, $93 million for future loss of companionship, and $10 million for Nancy Iskander's past emotional distress. Zachary Iskander, the surviving brother, was awarded $6 million for past emotional distress and $28 million for future distress. The total award was significantly lower than the $439 million sought by the family.
Grossman, 64, is already serving a 15-year-to-life prison sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter in a criminal trial. Erickson, 58, was not criminally charged but was found negligent in the civil case. The jury concluded that both Grossman and Erickson acted in concert, with Grossman driving at 73 mph in a 45 mph zone after the pair had consumed alcohol. Erickson's attorney proposed a $10 million settlement, while Grossman's attorney suggested a 'reasonable' amount without specifying.
The crash occurred on Sept. 29, 2020, as the boys were crossing Triunfo Canyon Road with their mother and younger brother. Grossman's Mercedes struck the boys after she and Erickson allegedly engaged in a speed contest. The jury found that Erickson's negligence also contributed to the fatal collision.