- A jury awarded $176 million to the family of brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, killed by Rebecca Grossman's SUV in 2020.
- Grossman and former MLB player Scott Erickson were found liable for the boys' deaths due to negligence.
- The additional phase of the trial will determine potential punitive damages for Grossman and Erickson's conduct.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA — Months after NCIS: Los Angeles actress Rachael Carpani died unexpectedly after a chronic illness battle, another case connected to Los Angeles has reached a major legal outcome. This time, a jury awarded $176 million to the family of two young brothers killed when Rebecca Grossman hit them with her SUV in 2020.
The civil jury found Grossman and former professional baseball player Scott Erickson liable in the deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander. The boys were struck while crossing a marked crosswalk with their family in Westlake Village.
Jury Finds Grossman and Erickson Liable
The jury found that both Grossman and Erickson were negligent in the crash that killed the boys. The panel awarded $176 million to the boys’ parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, and their younger brother, Zachary.
Erickson was driving a separate vehicle ahead of Grossman at the time of the crash. Although he did not hit the boys, the jury found that he and Grossman acted together in the events leading up to the deadly collision.
The jury also found that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice. That means a second phase of the trial will decide whether additional punitive damages should be awarded.
Boys Killed in Crosswalk
The crash happened on September 29, 2020.
Mark and Jacob were crossing Triunfo Canyon Road with their mother and younger brother when the vehicles approached. Their mother, Nancy Iskander, managed to grab her youngest son and move out of the way of Erickson’s SUV. Moments later, Grossman’s white Mercedes struck Mark and Jacob.
Grossman was reportedly driving far above the posted speed limit when the crash happened. The boys were hit with such force that one of them was thrown more than 250 feet.
Erickson Testified in Civil Trial
Erickson, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, took the stand during the wrongful death trial.
He testified that he sped up when he saw the children in the crosswalk because he believed it was the safest way to get through. Jurors still found him negligent.
The civil case focused on whether Grossman and Erickson were responsible for the boys’ deaths and whether their conduct helped cause the crash.
Grossman Already Serving Prison Sentence
Grossman was convicted in 2024 of second-degree murder for the deaths of Mark and Jacob. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
In March 2026, a California appeals court rejected her final bid to overturn the conviction, keeping her behind bars.
The civil verdict now adds a major financial judgment on top of the criminal sentence.
Family Continues Seeking Accountability
The Iskander family has spent years seeking justice for Mark and Jacob.
The wrongful death case gave the family another chance to hold Grossman and Erickson accountable in court. The $176 million verdict is one of the largest outcomes tied to the crash so far.
The case will continue with the punitive damages phase, where jurors will decide whether Grossman and Erickson should pay even more because of their conduct.
To view more cases involving deadly crashes, celebrity defendants, and families fighting for justice, check out our video here:
