Overview
- A Van Nuys civil jury found Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson negligent in the 2020 crash that killed brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, and awarded the Iskander family $176 million in compensatory damages; the verdict was returned Wednesday.
- Jurors concluded both defendants acted with malice or oppression, a legal finding that opened a separate punitive‑damages phase which began right after the verdict.
- Grossman is already serving a 15‑years‑to‑life prison sentence after her 2024 criminal convictions for the deaths were upheld on appeal earlier this year.
- The trial featured competing evidence including vehicle telematics that experts said showed Grossman’s SUV at roughly 73–80 mph, testimony about pre‑crash drinking and deleted messages between the two, and defenses that argued lower speeds, distraction and visibility problems.
- Next steps include the punitive‑damages hearing, where jurors will hear about the defendants’ conduct and finances, and ongoing appellate filings by Grossman seeking further review.