Damages Awarded in Westlake Village Traffic Fatalities Involving Rebecca Grossman
Rebecca Grossman and former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson have been found negligent in the deaths of two young brothers, resulting in a $176 million award for damages.
A jury has determined that Rebecca Grossman and former Major League pitcher Scott Erickson were negligent in a civil suit related to the tragic deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, who were struck by Grossman's vehicle in Westlake Village in 2020. The jurors awarded $176 million in damages to the boys’ family, which includes their parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, and their brother Zachary.
In addition to the damages awarded, the jury found that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, a determination that may lead to a subsequent trial phase to address punitive damages. The sum also implicates Dr. Peter Grossman, Rebecca's husband, who owned the vehicle involved in the incident and permitted her to drive it.
The lawsuit accused Grossman and Erickson of consuming alcohol before participating in a speed contest that culminated in the vehicle striking the children at approximately 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. In a separate criminal proceeding, Grossman was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and other charges, receiving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, while Erickson has not faced any criminal penalties related to the event.