LOS ANGELES (AP) – In a significant legal ruling, a Los Angeles jury awarded $176 million to the parents of two young brothers, Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, who tragically lost their lives in a hit-and-run accident nearly six years ago. The fatal incident involved a vehicle driven by socialite Rebecca Grossman, who, along with former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, was found negligent in the deaths of the children.
The lawsuit revolved around the circumstances of the deadly collision that occurred on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County. During the civil trial, the Iskander family's attorney, Brian Panish, presented evidence that both Grossman and Erickson had been driving recklessly after consuming alcohol together. They were reportedly dating at the time of the incident, despite Grossman being separated from her husband.
Panish disclosed that Grossman was traveling at a speed of 73 mph (117 kph) when her car collided with the boys in a crosswalk where the speed limit was set at 45 mph (72 kph). He argued that Grossman was following Erickson, who was also speeding and narrowly missed the family prior to the collision. Emphasizing the preventability of the tragedy, Panish told the jury, "This was a totally preventable collision. They went out for a walk and they never came home."
In response to the prosecution's case, Grossman's attorney, Esther Holm, denied any claims of intoxication, asserting that Grossman was distracted when she saw the boys' mother attempting to avoid Erickson's vehicle. Holm maintained that Grossman did not see the children due to her diverted attention towards Ms. Iskander's actions. Meanwhile, Erickson's attorney, Jeff Braun, acknowledged the tragic nature of the boys' deaths but underlined that the vehicle he was operating "made no contact with the children."
Following the jury's decision on the liability of Grossman and Erickson, the court scheduled further proceedings to deliberate on whether to impose punitive damages against them. This trial comes after Grossman's criminal conviction, where she was sentenced in 2024 to serve 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving. Grossman is notably a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and is married to a well-known burn doctor.
The jury's award of $176 million, which includes compensation for wrongful death and emotional distress, marks a pivotal moment for the Iskander family as they seek justice for their devastating loss. The case has drawn significant public attention not only because of the involvement of Grossman and Erickson, who have both led prominent lives, but also due to its heart-wrenching nature, highlighting the consequences of reckless driving and the profound impact of such tragedies on families.
As the legal proceedings continue, including the forthcoming jury decision on punitive damages, the Iskander family remains at the center of this tragic incident that has evoked both sympathy and outrage within the community.
