Jury Awards $176 Million in Wrongful Death Case Involving Fatal SUV Crash

A jury has determined that Rebecca Grossman and former MLB player Scott Erickson are responsible for the deaths of two brothers, 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander, who were struck by Grossman’s SUV in a Westlake Village crosswalk in September 2020. Following an eight-week trial, jurors awarded $176 million to the boys’ parents and their surviving brother in a wrongful death lawsuit, finding that the duo acted negligently in connection with the fatal event.

Grossman, 62, is currently serving a 15-year to life sentence for second-degree murder in relation to the incident. Although it was Grossman’s vehicle that struck the boys, the jury concluded that both individuals were negligent, with Grossman driving at 73 mph at the time of the collision. Jurors also found that both acted with malice, permitting the possibility for additional punitive damages as the trial enters a second phase.

Legal representatives for the Iskander family argued that Grossman and Erickson had been drinking before driving and were racing in their SUVs. They called for over $430 million in damages, stating that reckless driving in the context of alcohol consumption should not be treated as an accident. The defense, however, asserted that there was no evidence of racing or impairment, with Grossman’s attorney claiming that her client was distracted just before the accident and not under the influence.

During the trial, Nancy Iskander testified about the moment before the crash, explaining that the boys were skating in the crosswalk when Grossman’s vehicle hit them. The jury’s breakdown of the damages included $59 million for the loss of Mark and $48 million for Jacob, along with additional amounts awarded for emotional distress to the boys' mother and their surviving sibling. Legal experts remarked on the significance of the verdict, noting the strong emotional elements involved in the case.