The Rebecca Grossman wrongful death case reached a dramatic conclusion on Wednesday, as a Los Angeles jury found the socialite and former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson negligent in the deaths of two young brothers killed by Grossman’s vehicle in Westlake Village in 2020. The panel awarded a staggering $176 million in damages to the boys’ grieving family.

A Finding of Malice

Beyond the financial penalty, the jury concluded that both Grossman and Erickson acted with malice in the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8. That determination opens the door to a punitive damages phase, which could result in even steeper penalties later this week.

The $176 million award also extends to Grossman’s husband, Dr. Peter Grossman. He was named as a defendant because he owned the car his wife was driving, and jurors found that he had given her permission to use it. Exactly how the damages will be split among the three defendants remains unclear.

What Happened That Night

The civil suit was brought by Nancy Iskander and her husband Karim, along with their son Zachary. Filed in January 2021, the lawsuit alleged that Grossman and Erickson, once a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, had been drinking cocktails on September 29, 2020. According to the complaint, the two then engaged in a high-speed contest along Triunfo Canyon Road. By the time they reached the crosswalk, Grossman struck the children at roughly 80 mph in a zone posted for 45 mph.

For the Iskander family and those close to them, the verdict delivered a measure of accountability. Family friend Julie Cohen framed the outcome as a warning, saying that those who race on public streets and drink before driving will be held responsible.

The trial drew emotional testimony from the boys’ parents. Nancy Iskander spoke about how loving her sons had been, and the children’s father also took the stand.

Compensation and What Comes Next

The $176 million is intended to compensate the family for their devastating loss. The case isn’t finished, though. Later this week, jurors will weigh punitive damages, a separate figure meant not to compensate but to punish conduct the jury views as going beyond ordinary negligence.

The civil verdict follows a criminal trial that concluded in early 2024. On February 23 of that year, Grossman was found guilty of two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, along with one count of hit-and-run driving. She received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Erickson, by contrast, never faced criminal charges in connection with the case.