A Los Angeles jury has ordered Rebecca Grossman, a socialite and wife of a prominent burn surgeon, and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson to pay more than $22 million in punitive damages for a 2020 crash that killed two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander. The ruling, handed down on [Date], caps a civil trial that painted a damning picture of recklessness and high-speed driving in a residential neighborhood.
The crash occurred on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, California. According to testimony, Grossman was driving her white Mercedes SUV at speeds exceeding 80 mph in a 45 mph zone when she struck the boys, ages 11 and 8, who were crossing the street with their mother. Erickson, Grossman's then-boyfriend, was driving a black Mercedes nearby and was also named in the lawsuit for allegedly racing with Grossman. The punitive damages award comes on top of earlier compensatory damages, which were not disclosed in the latest ruling. Grossman's criminal trial on charges of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run is ongoing, with a preliminary hearing set for later this month.
The Evidence That Stunned the Court
During the civil trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Grossman had a blood-alcohol level of 0.12% at the time of the crash—well above California's legal limit of 0.08%—and that she had been drinking at a local restaurant before getting behind the wheel. Witnesses testified that Grossman and Erickson were seen arguing at the restaurant, and surveillance footage showed them leaving in separate vehicles moments before the collision. The Iskander family's attorney, Robert Glassman, argued that the punitive damages were necessary to send a message: "This wasn't an accident. This was a choice to drive drunk and race through a neighborhood where children play." The jury agreed, awarding $22.5 million in punitive damages—$15 million from Grossman and $7.5 million from Erickson.
Erickson's attorney, meanwhile, argued that his client was not directly responsible for the crash, as Grossman's vehicle struck the boys. However, the jury found that Erickson's participation in a street race contributed to the deadly outcome. Erickson, a former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and other MLB teams, has not publicly commented on the verdict. The punitive damages are intended to punish the defendants and deter similar behavior, but they may be difficult to collect. Grossman's legal team has indicated they will appeal, citing juror misconduct and errors in jury instructions. The criminal case, however, carries far more serious consequences: if convicted of second-degree murder, Grossman faces 15 years to life in prison.
A Community Still Grieving
The Iskander family has been vocal about their loss, with the boys' mother, Nancy Iskander, testifying about the moment she saw her sons' bodies on the street. "I held Mark in my arms as he died," she said in court, her voice breaking. "I will never forgive her." The verdict has brought a measure of justice, but the family's attorney says the fight isn't over. "This sends a clear message that drunk driving and reckless behavior will not be tolerated," Glassman said. "But no amount of money can bring back those two beautiful boys." As the criminal trial looms, the case continues to captivate Southern California, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of a few bad decisions.