Jury deliberations are set to begin in the civil trial concerning a tragic crash in Westlake Village, California, involving Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson. The crash resulted in the deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8.
Details of the Incident
The plaintiffs, Nancy and Karim Iskander, along with their son Zachary, allege that Grossman and Erickson engaged in a high-speed contest along Triunfo Canyon Road. The children were struck at approximately 80 mph in a 45 mph zone on September 29, 2020. The family’s attorney, Brian Panish, has requested the jury to award hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
During the trial, Grossman’s attorney, Esther Holm, denied allegations of impairment from alcohol or valium and stated that Grossman was not racing. Holm also argued that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department focused solely on Grossman during their investigation.
Emotional Testimonies
The trial has featured emotional testimonies from the boys’ parents. Nancy Iskander recounted the devastating events of that day, describing how she heard the roaring engines of two cars approaching the crosswalk where her sons were. She described the profound impact the loss has had on her life, stating, “Part of me is simply dead.”
Karim Iskander also took the stand, sharing memories of his sons and the last birthday he spent with Mark. He described the boys as kind-hearted and caring, emphasizing the deep loss felt by the family.
Legal Proceedings
Rebecca Grossman was previously found guilty in February 2024 of two counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as well as one count of hit-and-run driving. She is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The Second District Court of Appeal upheld her conviction in March.
Scott Erickson testified that he was not racing Grossman, although he admitted to driving 55 mph in a 45 mph zone. His former teammate, Royce Clayton, testified that they had margaritas before the crash, leading to tensions between Erickson and Clayton.
The jury’s decision in this civil trial will determine the financial compensation for the Iskander family, as they seek justice for the loss of their sons.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
