Summary (tl;dr)

A Los Angeles civil jury has found socialite Rebecca Grossman and former MLB player Scott Erickson liable for the 2020 deaths of two young brothers, awarding their family $176 million in compensatory damages, with a second phase of the trial beginning today to determine punitive damages. Grossman is already serving a prison sentence for her criminal conviction in the same incident.

Essential Background

On September 29, 2020, brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, were fatally struck by an SUV while in a Westlake Village crosswalk. Rebecca Grossman, who was allegedly street racing with former baseball player Scott Erickson after they had been drinking, was driving the vehicle that hit the boys. Grossman was subsequently convicted in February 2024 of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. She was sentenced in June 2024 to 15 years to life in state prison, a conviction that was upheld on appeal in March 2026. Scott Erickson, who was in a separate SUV ahead of Grossman's vehicle, faced a misdemeanor reckless driving charge, which was later dismissed after he agreed to make a public service announcement.

The Full Story

On June 3, 2026, a Los Angeles civil jury found both Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson liable for the wrongful deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander in a lawsuit brought by the boys' parents. The jury awarded the Iskander family $176 million in compensatory damages for wrongful death and emotional distress. Furthermore, the jury determined that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, leading to a second phase of the trial, which is set to begin today, June 4, 2026, to consider punitive damages. During the civil trial, Erickson testified, denying that he was racing Grossman and admitting to deleting text messages exchanged with her after the crash, as well as providing a different vehicle to police than the one he was driving that day.

Why It Matters

This case underscores the severe consequences of reckless driving and impaired judgment, leading to tragic loss of life. The substantial civil verdict provides a measure of justice and significant financial compensation for the grieving Iskander family, supplementing Rebecca Grossman's prior criminal conviction and prison sentence. The ongoing high-profile nature of the legal proceedings, involving a socialite and a former professional athlete, maintains public attention on issues of accountability for negligent and dangerous driving, particularly when alleged street racing and alcohol consumption are involved.

Geographic Location

• Westlake Village, Los Angeles County, California, United States (location of fatal collision)
• Van Nuys Courthouse, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (location of civil trial and criminal trial)
• California, United States (location where Rebecca Grossman is serving her prison sentence)