A Los Angeles County jury has awarded $176 million in damages to the family of two young brothers killed by socialite Rebecca Grossman and former baseball player Scott Erickson in a 2020 car crash. The verdict, returned Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, found both defendants negligent and acting with malice.
Key Takeaways
A Los Angeles County jury awarded $176 million to the family of two boys killed by Rebecca Grossman in a 2020 car crash involving Scott Erickson. The jury found both negligent and acting with malice.
- Jury awards $176M to family of Mark and Jacob Iskander
- Grossman convicted of felony murder, sentenced to 15 years to life
- Punitive damages phase begins Thursday
- Defense argues no evidence of racing or impairment
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 2 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage Award | Broad Agreement | $176 million awarded to family of Mark and Jacob Iskander | |
| Grossman's Sentence | Broad Agreement | Grossman sentenced to 15 years to life for felony murder |
Damage Award
Broad Agreement$176 million awarded to family of Mark and Jacob Iskander
Grossman's Sentence
Broad AgreementGrossman sentenced to 15 years to life for felony murder
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The jury awarded $59 million for the wrongful death of Mark Iskander, $48 million for Jacob's death, $35 million to Nancy Iskander for emotional distress, and $34 million to Zachary Iskander. The punitive damages phase is set to begin Thursday.
The crash occurred in September 2020 when Grossman struck the boys with her Mercedes SUV while they were crossing a street in Westlake Village. Expert witnesses testified that she was traveling at approximately 73 mph. Erickson, who was driving ahead of Grossman, avoided hitting the family but did not stop after the crash.
The jury found that both defendants acted with malice and oppression, allowing for punitive damages to be considered. The verdict came after an eight-week trial where attorneys presented evidence of street racing and impaired driving. According to UPI, Grossman is currently serving a 15-year-to-life prison sentence for felony murder in connection with the boys' death.
The defense argued that there was no evidence of racing or impairment, and that visibility issues contributed to the crash. Esther Holm, Grossman's attorney, stated that her client was not impaired by alcohol or valium and was traveling at about 52 mph. She also pointed out that the city had received a complaint about the intersection before.
How this summary was created
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