Two young boys were killed while crossing the street. Now a jury ordered a wealthy socialite and an ex-pro athlete to pay $176 million.
A Los Angeles jury found Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson negligent and malicious in the 2020 deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander.
No amount of money can bring back a child. But for one grieving family, a massive verdict brings a small bit of justice after years of pain.
What Happened
In September 2020, Mark and Jacob Iskander were crossing a street in Westlake Village with their family. Suddenly, two fast SUVs sped toward them. The drivers had been drinking and were racing each other.
The boys' mother managed to save one child, but the other SUV hit Mark and Jacob. The driver, Rebecca Grossman, did not stop her car. Mark was 11 and Jacob was 8. Both boys died.
A Los Angeles jury has now ordered Grossman and her former lover, Scott Erickson, to pay $176 million to the family. The jury found that both drivers were careless and acted with malice.
What the money/evidence shows
- A jury awarded the Iskander family $176 million.
- Rebecca Grossman is already serving 15 years to life in prison.
- Scott Erickson, a former professional baseball player, lied to police about which car he drove.
- The two drivers were speeding in separate Mercedes SUVs after drinking margaritas.
- Grossman's car only stopped on its own one-third of a mile past the crash.
How do some wealthy people manage to avoid the worst results of their actions? Scott Erickson avoided criminal charges by agreeing to film a safe driving video. Meanwhile, two young lives were lost.
We must ask if the justice system treats rich and famous people differently than the rest of us. This is a question we should all think about.
Erickson's lawyer admitted his client lied to police and lawyers, but argued he did not hit the boys. Grossman's lawyer tried to blame the city of Westlake Village for a dangerous crosswalk.
This defense looks very weak since the jury quickly rejected it.
What Happens Now
The civil trial will continue to decide on punitive damages. This means the total money owed could grow even larger. For regular people, this case shows that reckless driving has huge costs.
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 4, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
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