Iskander Family Files $375M Wrongful Death Suit Over 2020 Crash
The Iskander family filed a $375 million wrongful death lawsuit over a 2020 fatal crash.
Why it matters: Wrongful death cases like this illustrate complexities such as multiple defendants, contested testimonies, and large damages demands, crucial for litigators handling high-stakes personal injury suits.
- Rebecca Grossman drove 73 mph in a 45 mph zone, killing two boys in September 2020.
- Grossman was convicted of second-degree murder and related charges in February 2024, sentenced to 15 years to life in June 2024.
- The Iskander family filed a wrongful death suit in January 2021 seeking $375 million from Grossman and ex-MLB pitcher Scott Erickson.
- Erickson admitted to lying to police and deleting WhatsApp messages; testimonies conflict on his involvement in the crash.
On September 29, 2020, Rebecca Grossman struck and killed brothers Mark Iskander (11) and Jacob Iskander (8) while they were crossing a crosswalk in Westlake Village, California. Grossman was driving her Mercedes SUV at approximately 73 mph in a 45 mph speed zone, according to court records available on the California Courts website.
Grossman was tried and convicted in February 2024 of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and hit-and-run. The Los Angeles County Superior Court sentenced her in June 2024 to 15 years to life in prison, reflecting the severity of the offenses, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In January 2021, the Iskander family filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking over $375 million in damages. The suit names Grossman and former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson as defendants. Public court filings accessed via CourtListener detail the complaint.
Erickson admitted under oath to providing false statements to police and deleting WhatsApp messages exchanged with Grossman after the incident. However, he denies any involvement in illegal racing or observing the crash, which contrasts with testimony from former MLB player Royce Clayton. Clayton testified that Erickson told him Grossman was driving at high speed and that Erickson saw the collision in his rearview mirror, as documented in trial transcripts available through Westlake Legal Cases.
Erickson also disclosed a history spanning approximately ten years of daily alcohol consumption during the trial. Additionally, local city officials testified that they had been aware of residents’ safety concerns related to the Westlake Village intersection where the crash occurred.
This case highlights the multifaceted challenges in wrongful death litigation involving alleged recklessness, evidentiary disputes, and defendants’ contradictory statements. The high damages sought and media attention emphasize critical considerations for legal professionals working on complex civil litigation and personal injury cases.
By the numbers:
- 73 mph — Grossman's speed in a 45 mph zone at crash time
- $375 million — Damages sought in wrongful death lawsuit
- 15 years to life — Grossman's prison sentence for the 2020 crash
Yes, but: While the wrongful death suit alleges massive damages and implicates an ex-professional athlete, Erickson denies racing and observing the crash, illustrating typical disputes over liability and involvement in such cases.
What's next: The civil trial is ongoing with further testimonies expected this fall, potentially impacting settlement discussions or trial outcomes.