Jury finds Grossman, Erickson liable for $176 million in boys’ tragedy

Justice for Mark and Jacob

A Van Nuys jury delivered a $176 million verdict Wednesday against socialite Rebecca Grossman and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, holding both equally responsible for the 2020 crash that killed 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother Jacob in Westlake Village.

The civil verdict brings a measure of closure to a tragedy that has haunted the Conejo Valley community for nearly six years. Nancy and Karim Iskander, the boys' parents, along with their surviving son Zachary, filed the wrongful-death lawsuit in 2021 seeking accountability for the devastating loss.

"When you race on our streets, and you drink and drive, you will be held accountable," family friend Julie Cohen said outside the courthouse, according to ABC7.

A Community Shattered

The crash occurred on the evening of September 29, 2020, at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive. The Iskander family was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk after visiting a nearby park when tragedy struck. According to testimony, Mark was on a skateboard while Jacob wore roller skates.

Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and former publisher of Westlake Magazine, was driving her Mercedes-Benz SUV at approximately 80 mph in a 45 mph zone when she struck the boys. Erickson, a 15-year MLB veteran who pitched for six teams including the Dodgers and was part of the Minnesota Twins' 1991 World Series championship team, was allegedly racing alongside her in his black Mercedes SUV.

Nancy Iskander and then-5-year-old Zachary witnessed the horrific scene, narrowly avoiding Erickson's speeding vehicle before Grossman's SUV fatally struck Mark and Jacob. Mark died at the scene, while Jacob died hours later at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

The Verdict's Impact

The jury's $176 million award breaks down to $59 million for Mark's death, $48 million for Jacob's death, $35 million for Nancy Iskander's emotional distress, and $34 million for Zachary's suffering. The panel also found that both defendants acted with malice or oppression, opening the door for punitive damages in a second phase of the trial.

Family attorney Brian Panish had originally sought $439 million in damages, telling jurors during closing arguments that "verdict" comes from Latin words meaning "truth" and "to speak." The Thousand Oaks Acorn reported that Panish urged the jury to "speak the truth of what these boys meant to this community."

Grossman's attorney, Esther Holm, had asked for "a reasonable verdict based on the evidence" without proposing a specific amount, while Erickson's attorney suggested $10 million would be appropriate.

Criminal Justice Served

The civil verdict follows Grossman's criminal conviction in February 2024 on two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, plus one count of hit-and-run driving. She is currently serving 15 years to life in state prison. A state appeals court upheld her conviction in March 2026.

Erickson faced only misdemeanor reckless driving charges and resolved his criminal case by recording a public service announcement. However, the civil jury found him equally liable for the tragedy because of his participation in what they determined was a street race.

A Family's Resilience

Throughout the long legal process, the Iskander family has shown remarkable strength. Nancy Iskander testified emotionally about the ongoing impact of losing her sons, describing how "part of me is simply dead" and "part of my heart is gone," NBC Los Angeles reported.

The community has rallied around the family since the tragedy. Prayer vigils, memorial flowers, and ongoing support have demonstrated the profound impact Mark and Jacob had on those who knew them. The boys were remembered as loving, active children who brought joy to everyone around them.

The City of Westlake Village was not found liable, as jurors rejected defense arguments that the intersection design was dangerous. The verdict sends a clear message about accountability when reckless driving destroys innocent lives in our community.