Rebecca Grossman Faces Civil Trial After Prison Sentence in Fatal Hit-and-Run
Rebecca Grossman is now standing civil trial for wrongful death after a criminal conviction.
Why it matters: The case highlights the layered nature of legal accountability in high-profile wrongful death incidents. Civil proceedings following criminal sentencing draw attention to victims’ avenues for redress and the public’s expectations of justice.
- Civil trial began April 24, 2026, naming Grossman, her husband, and Scott Erickson as defendants.
- Grossman is serving 15 years to life for second-degree murder of two boys in a 2020 hit-and-run.
- Plaintiffs allege Grossman and Erickson were racing vehicles while intoxicated; vehicle traveled 73 mph in a 45 mph zone.
- Trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, faces a civil wrongful death trial in Los Angeles County, just months after beginning her prison term for a deadly hit-and-run in Westlake Village. The trial began April 24, 2026, naming Grossman, her husband Peter Grossman, and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson as defendants, based on a lawsuit filed by the parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander—the children killed in 2020.
- The suit alleges that Grossman and Erickson were racing their vehicles while intoxicated at the time of the incident. "They were racing, you are going to hear. At least six people saw it," said Brian Panish, attorney for the Iskanders’ parents.
- Investigators reported Grossman’s car struck the children at 73 mph in a 45 mph zone and traveled about a third of a mile after impact before stopping automatically.
- Grossman’s blood-alcohol content was 0.08% three hours after the crash. She was convicted of second-degree murder in 2024 and sentenced to 15 years to life in June 2024.
- Scott Erickson, who was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, had those charges dismissed following a public service message on safe driving.
Opening arguments included contrasting narratives: attorneys for the Iskander family describe reckless racing, while defense attorneys argue Erickson “wasn’t racing with Rebecca Grossman or anyone else.” The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
By the numbers:
- 73 mph — Vehicle speed at impact in a 45 mph zone
- 0.08% — Grossman’s blood-alcohol content three hours post-crash
- 6–8 weeks — Anticipated duration of the civil trial
What's next: The civil trial will proceed over the next six to eight weeks, with further testimony and potential verdict expected by early summer 2026.