A jury has ordered Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson to pay $176 million to the family of two young boys killed in a 2020 hit-and-run. The verdict concludes the compensatory phase of a civil trial centered on a fatal crash in Westlake Village.

The $176 million compensatory award for the Iskander family

The jury awarded a total of $176 million in compensatory damages to Nancy and Karim Iskander and their surviving son, Zachary, according to the report. this figure is divided into specific allocations: $14 million for the parents' loss of love and companionship since the crash, and $93 million for the loss of that companionship in the future. The victims were Mark, aged 11, and Jacob, aged 8, who were killed while crossing a street.

Emotional distress played a significant role in the final tally. nancy Iskander was awarded $10 million for past emotional distress and $25 million for future distress. Zachary Iskander, who was five years old at the time of the accident and narrowly escaped injury, was awarded $6 million for past and $28 million for future serious emotional distress.

Margaritas and racing in Westlake Village

The evidence presented during the trial painted a picture of extreme recklessness involving Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson. The report says the pair had been drinking margaritas at a local bar before racig each other in their vehicles, which led to Rebecca Grossman slamming her white Mercedes SUV into the two children at a pedestrian crossing in September 2020.

This behavior was categorized by the jury as acting with "malice or oppression." By finding that Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson acted in concert leading up to the crash, the jury has opened the door for punitive damages. This specific legal finding elevates the case from simple negligence to a deliberate disregard for human life, reflecting a pattern of behavior where the defendants prioritized a high-speed thrill over public safety.

Scott Erickson's Nevada DUI and courtroom admissions

Scott Erickson, a former professional baseball star and Minnesota Twins pitcher, was found to be negligent and a substantial factor in the deaths of the Iskander boys.. During the civil trial, Scott Erickson admitted on the witness stand that he had lied to police officers regarding the amount of alcohol he consumed prior to the fatal collision.

The trial also brought to light Scott Erickson's history with alcohol and the law. As reported by the source, Scott Erickson admitted to a previous DUI conviction in Nevada that occurred 12 years prior to the 2020 crash. While his criminal case was resolved in February 2022 with a misdemeanor reckless driving cahrge, this civil verdict places a much heavier financial burden on the former athlete.

The pending punitive damages and financial disclosures

While $176 million is a staggering sum, the legal battle is not yet over. The jury must still determine punitive damages in a second verdict phase, which will be decided after the court hears evidence regarding the actual financial status of Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson. These damages are intended as punishment rather than compensation.

There remain several unresolved financial questions, most notably whether the defendants possess the assets to cover the award. The Iskander family originally sought nearly half a billion dollars—specifically $439 million—in compensatory damages. With Rebecca Grossman currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, the ability of the defendants to satisfy these massive judgments remains a critical unknown.