A Van Nuys Superior Court jury awarded the Iskander family $176 million on Wednesday, finding Rebecca Grossman and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson liable for a 2020 crash that killed two young brothers.
The civil panel determined that Grossman, 62, and Erickson, 58, acted with malice and negligence during an impromptu street race that resulted in the deaths of 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander.
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The decision clears the way for a second phase of the trial regarding punitive damages, which begins Thursday.
Plaintiffs Nancy Iskander, her husband Karim, and their surviving son Zachary filed the wrongful death lawsuit in January 2021.
The legal team representing the family argued that Grossman and Erickson had been drinking margaritas at a nearby cantina before speeding down Triunfo Canyon Road in separate SUVs.
During closing arguments on Monday, the attorney for the Iskander family demanded significant financial penalties for the defendants.
"It's not an accident when you speed, and you drink, and you drive impaired," said Brian Panish, attorney for the Iskander family.
Panish challenged the defense's proposed settlement figure, calling it inadequate given the magnitude of the family's loss.
"Who would act like that except someone who thinks they can do whatever they want and there's no consequences?"
said Panish.
Panish also rejected arguments that the crosswalk's physical structure was to blame, noting that millions of other vehicles had negotiated the same intersection without incident.
"These people, they didn't invest in stocks - they may have some - but they invested in their children," said Panish.
Panish criticized Erickson's conduct after the collision, accusing him of misleading investigators and altering evidence.
"Hiding in the bushes, admitted lying repeatedly to the police, and admitted switching vehicles and cold-plating... That's a criminal act," said Panish.
The defense team for Grossman disputed the street racing narrative, maintaining that her speed was only slightly above the limit.
"She wasn't racing; that's all speculation," said Esther Holm, attorney for Rebecca Grossman.
Holm argued that municipal officials had long been aware of structural hazards at the Westlake Village pedestrian crossing.
"The city's role is significant as much as Ms. Grossman's and Mr. Erickson's. The city was on notice of the problem," said Holm.
Holm maintained that the local administration had neglected public safety despite prior complaints from community members.
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Erickson's defense counsel acknowledged that his client had compromised his credibility during the investigation but maintained that Erickson did not cause the physical impact that killed the children.
"My client made some stupid, stupid decisions related to this case," said Jeff Braun, attorney for Scott Erickson.
Braun urged the jury to consider a lower financial judgment, suggesting $10 million as a reasonable sum.
"My client lied to the police. He lied to his lawyers in this case.
And that's a hard, hard hole to dig out of," said Braun.
Braun also emphasized that no expert had testified that Erickson was impaired during the incident.
Nancy Iskander provided emotional testimony, describing how she pulled her youngest child out of harm's way before witnessing Grossman's Mercedes strike her other two sons.
"Part of me is simply dead," said Nancy Iskander.
Iskander detailed the ongoing psychological trauma of losing her sons, explaining that she constantly relives the terrifying moments.
"Part of my heart is gone," said Iskander.
She expressed grief over the shattered future of her children, noting she had envisioned the two brothers remaining close throughout their adult lives.
"I wanted them to be best friends in life," said Iskander.
Iskander described the sudden transition from an ordinary family outing to total devastation, recounting how she desperately searched the roadway and began screaming when her children disappeared from view.
"I heard the roaring engines in two cars, one black, one white, coming towards us. They were accelerating toward the crosswalk," said Iskander.
Karim Iskander also addressed the court, sharing family videos and describing the personalities of his late sons.
"We spent the day there, and it was amazing," said Karim Iskander, recalling a beach trip days before the incident.
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Grossman is already serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison after being convicted in February 2024 of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving, a conviction upheld on appeal in March 2026.
