Los Angeles Jury Awards $176 Million to Parents of Two Children Killed in Hit‑and‑Run Crash
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday awarded $176 million to the parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11‑ and 8‑year‑old boys who were struck and killed by a driver in a crosswalk in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020.
The jury found Rebecca Grossman, a California socialite and co‑founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson negligent in the collision. The damages cover wrongful death and emotional distress.
Grossman, sentenced in 2024 to 15 years to life for second‑degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit‑and‑run offenses, had been driving 73 mph in a 45‑mph zone when her vehicle struck the boys in a crosswalk. Erickson, who was also speeding, narrowly missed the children.
The Iskander families brought civil claims against both parties. In closing arguments, attorney Brian Panish argued the drivers were reckless and that the collision was preventable, stating: “They went out for a walk and they never came home.”
In response, Grossman’s attorney Esther Holm denied intoxication, noting the driver was distracted by Ms. Iskander when the boys crossed the street.
On a separate criminal trial, Erickson’s attorney Jeff Braun called the deaths a tragedy but emphasized his client’s vehicle “made no contact with the children.”
The jury’s ruling is expected to set a precedent for hit‑and‑run cases and raise questions about punitive damages, which remain on the table for further deliberation.
