04-06-2026 | $176 million Awarded in Hit‑and‑Run Case Involving Former MLB Pitcher and Philanthropist

A Los Angeles jury on Thursday delivered a landmark ruling, awarding parents of two brothers a total of $176 million in a civil lawsuit that stems from a hit‑and‑run collision that claimed the lives of 11‑year‑old Mark Iskander and 8‑year‑old Jacob Iskander on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village.

Both Rebecca Grossman, the California socialite and co‑founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson were found negligent by the jury. The two had been traveling together when they failed to stop for the boys crossing the street. Grossman was driving at a speed of 73 mph on a road that limits 45 mph, according to the jurors’ findings. She was followed closely by Erickson, who was also speeding but did not collide directly with the children.

The civil suits filed by the Iskander parents were demanding damages for wrongful death and emotional distress. The sentencing of Grossman in a separate criminal proceeding—15 years to life for second‑degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit‑and‑run driving—underscores the gravity with which the justice system has treated the incident.

While the jury has awarded $176 million, the final distribution between Grossman and Erickson will be determined by the judge. The court has yet to decide on punitive damages, as the jury will resume deliberations on Friday to resolve that question. The award remains as the craziest of civil liability cases to involve a former professional athlete and a high‑profile philanthropist.

Lawyers for the brothers’ parents argued that the defendants were driving recklessly after consuming margaritas together, and that the crash was totally preventable. In closing statements, attorney Brian Panish said, “This was a totally preventable collision.” Grossman’s defense denied intoxication, claiming the driver’s attention was diverted by a mother’s sudden movement. Erickson’s counsel emphasized that no contact occurred with the children, framing the incident as a tragic accident.

The judgment is a stark reminder that drivers in California’s fast‑moving regions can face severe civil repercussions for even a single lapse in judgment. The case also illustrates the intersection of personal conduct, public safety, and legal accountability in high‑profile communities.