LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury in Los Angeles decided Wednesday that socialite Rebecca Grossman must pay an additional $21 million in punitive damages to the family of two young brothers killed when she struck them with her vehicle in a deadly hit-and-run crash in 2020.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson was also ordered to pay $1.17 million in punitive damages.
These penalties come on top of $176 million in wrongful death and emotional distress damages that jurors awarded to parents Nancy and Karim Iskander last week, after determining both Grossman and Erickson acted negligently in the deaths of 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob.
“This verdict sends a clear message that everyone must be held accountable when their selfish actions put innocent lives at risk,” said Brian Panish, who represents the Iskander family, in a Wednesday statement.
Jeff Braun, representing Erickson, said they accepted the jury’s decision.
“In the coming days, we will review the verdict with our client and discuss the appropriate path forward,” Braun stated. “Today, however, our focus is on acknowledging the extraordinary loss the Iskander family has endured. We extend our sincere condolences to them and continue to keep them in our thoughts.”
Esther Holm, Grossman’s legal representative, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
In 2024, Grossman received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison following her conviction on charges of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in a criminal case. She helped establish the Grossman Burn Foundation and is married to a well-known burn specialist.
The parents of the deceased boys pursued civil litigation against both Grossman and Erickson, who was traveling in front of her vehicle when the Iskander children were fatally struck. The civil trial commenced in April.
The fatal collision happened during the evening hours of Sept. 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, located on the western border of Los Angeles County.
The Iskander family’s lawyer, Panish, contended that both defendants drove recklessly following an evening of consuming margaritas together. The pair were romantically involved during a period when Grossman had separated from her spouse.
According to Panish, Grossman was traveling at 73 mph (117 kph) when her vehicle hit the children as they crossed the street, despite the posted speed limit of 45 mph (72 kph) on that roadway.
He stated that Grossman was trailing behind Erickson, who was also exceeding the speed limit and barely avoided hitting the family.
Grossman’s lawyer, Holm, disputed claims that her client was under the influence of alcohol. She maintained that Grossman became distracted after witnessing the boys’ mother leap away from Erickson’s approaching car.
Erickson’s attorney, Braun, acknowledged the tragic nature of the children’s deaths but stressed that his client’s vehicle “made no contact with the children.”
