Scott Erickson challenges $176m award to boys’ family after fatal crash
Scott Erickson, a former World Series-winning pitcher, and socialite Rebecca Grossman have been ordered to pay $176 million in compensatory damages for the deaths of two young brothers killed in a 2020 car crash in Los Angeles. Erickson is now appealing the judgment, arguing the award is excessive and threatening to demand a new trial if the victims' parents refuse to accept a lower amount. The case has attracted significant attention due to the vastly different legal outcomes: Grossman was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, whilst Erickson's criminal charges were dismissed.
Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander were struck by Grossman's white Mercedes SUV at a pedestrian crossing in Westlake Village, Los Angeles, in September 2020, whilst Erickson was racing her in his black Mercedes after both had been drinking margaritas at a bar. A civil jury found them both liable, ordering $88 million each in compensatory damages plus additional punitive damages. However, Grossman subsequently negotiated a secret settlement to pay only $14 million instead of her $88 million share, leaving Erickson liable for approximately $75 million despite having no criminal conviction related to the crash.
- Former pitcher faces ~$75m liability after boys killed in racing crash
- Secret settlement lets ex-lover pay just $14m instead of $88m
- Criminal charges against Erickson were dismissed; Grossman got 15-to-life
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In September 2020, two young brothers, Mark (11) and Jacob (8) Iskander, were killed when struck by a white Mercedes SUV at a pedestrian crossing in Westlake Village, Los Angeles. Rebecca Grossman was driving the vehicle whilst Scott Erickson, a former professional baseball pitcher, was racing her in a black Mercedes; both had been drinking beforehand at a bar.
A civil court found both Erickson and Grossman liable for the deaths and ordered each to pay $88 million in compensatory damages, plus additional punitive damages, totalling $176 million. Their criminal cases proceeded very differently: Grossman was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, whilst Erickson's criminal charges were dismissed.
The case has drawn attention because Grossman subsequently negotiated a confidential settlement to pay only $14 million instead of her $88 million civil liability. This arrangement leaves Erickson responsible for approximately $75 million despite having no criminal conviction connected to the crash, creating a substantial disparity in their respective obligations.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Disgraced MLB star Scott Erickson demands judge toss $176M award he and ex-lover Rebecca Grossman owe family of young boys killed in boozy street-racing crash – or he’ll request a new trial”.