Royce Clayton Ties MLB Pitcher and Socialite to Fatal Crash in Civil Suit
Royce Clayton testified that both Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson were involved in the crash killing two boys.
Why it matters: The testimony could shape liability rules for co-defendants in wrongful death cases, especially where criminal convictions and civil suits overlap. Credible eyewitness accounts like Clayton's may influence how courts determine shared responsibility.
- Royce Clayton testified May 1, 2026, describing Scott Erickson's account of the 2020 crash.
- Clayton said Erickson saw Grossman strike Mark and Jacob Iskander at high speed.
- The Iskander family’s civil suit alleges both defendants were racing and intoxicated.
- Grossman was convicted of murder and manslaughter; Erickson faced no criminal conviction.
Former MLB player Royce Clayton testified on May 1, 2026, in the wrongful death case involving philanthropist Rebecca Grossman and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson. The lawsuit, filed by the Iskander family, concerns a September 2020 crash in Westlake Village that killed their sons Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8.
- On the stand, Clayton relayed Erickson’s description of events: “She [Grossman] was directly behind him, going at a high rate of speed,” as both approached the crosswalk. Clayton stated that Erickson claimed to see Grossman strike the boys in his rearview mirror.
- The wrongful death complaint asserts both drivers were racing and intoxicated prior to the accident. Grossman was later convicted of murder and manslaughter—her sentence: 15 years to life. Police reported she drove 81 mph in a 45-mph zone and did not stop immediately after the collision.
- Erickson, though facing misdemeanor charges, was not convicted; instead, he agreed to produce a public service announcement for safe driving in 2022.
According to Los Angeles attorney Kattia Castellanos, eyewitness testimony from a known public figure "can amplify the credibility of a civil suit and clarify co-defendants’ awareness and proximity—two elements that impact how damages might be shared in future high-profile cases." Legal context from similar high-visibility wrongful death cases shows courts often weigh such testimony heavily when apportioning fault.
By the numbers:
- 81 mph — reported speed of Grossman’s vehicle in a 45-mph zone
- 15 years to life — Grossman’s criminal sentence after conviction for murder and manslaughter
- 2 — number of children killed, Mark and Jacob Iskander
Yes, but: Clayton's testimony speaks only to Erickson’s account; the final civil liability determination will rest on all evidence and the court’s findings.
What's next: The civil trial continues this month, with additional testimony expected from other witnesses and accident reconstruction experts.