Millions Awarded in Case of Boys Killed in Crosswalk

A civil jury has added a massive financial penalty to the prison time California socialite Rebecca Grossman is already facing, NBC Los Angeles reports. The Grossman Burn Foundation co-founder was ordered Wednesday to pay $21 million in punitive damages over the 2020 Westlake Village crash that killed the young Iskander brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8. Former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, found negligent in the same civil case but not criminally charged, was hit with $1.17 million in punitive damages. His lawyer said, per the AP, that the verdict would be discussed with his client but that for now, "our focus is on acknowledging the extraordinary loss the Iskander family has endured." Grossman's lawyer did not comment. The two were romantically involved at the time of the crash, and prosecutors claimed they were racing after having drinks together.

The awards come on top of $176 million in compensatory damages granted last week, pushing the total judgment for the boys' parents, Karim and Nancy Iskander, to $198 million. Their attorney, Brian Panish, said jurors concluded the pair needed to be punished and "sent a message to other drunk drivers" with the damages awarded. Legal analyst Royal Oakes said the size and existence of punitive damages suggest jurors were angered by evidence, including claims Grossman tried to shield assets. Grossman is already serving 15 years to life after her 2024 conviction on murder, manslaughter, and hit-and-run charges; an appeals court upheld that verdict in March. Also Wednesday, the California Supreme Court declined to hear Grossman's appeal in the criminal case, MyNewsLA reports. The Iskander family expects appeals in the civil case.