Iskander Family Seeks $375M in Civil Trial Over 2020 Hit-and-Run Deaths of Two Brothers
The Iskander family is seeking over $375 million in damages for the deaths of Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, killed in a 2020 hit-and-run in the San Fernando Valley.
Closing Arguments Delivered in Iskander Civil Trial Against Grossman and Erickson
Closing arguments were delivered Monday in the civil wrongful death trial stemming from a 2020 hit-and-run crash in the San Fernando Valley that killed two young brothers, according to Courthouse News Service. The case is now in the hands of a 12-person jury.
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish asked jurors to award approximately $375 million to the Iskander family for the deaths of Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8, who were struck and killed while crossing a street with their mother, Nancy, and younger brother Zachary.
"Is that a lot of money?" Panish said in his closing remarks. "Yeah. But it's a tremendous loss … What could be worse for a parent than to see your kids run down by a drunk driver?"
Grossman Already Convicted; Erickson a Co-Defendant
Rebecca Grossman, wife of plastic surgeon Peter Grossman, is currently serving 15 years to life in prison after a jury convicted her on two counts of second-degree murder for striking the boys. The civil trial covers similar ground but adds a second defendant: Scott Erickson, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who was dating Grossman at the time of the crash.
The two had been drinking margaritas at a Mexican restaurant and were driving separately to Grossman's home in Westlake Village. Multiple witnesses testified that both drivers were traveling at high speed, weaving between lanes, and appeared to be racing one another. Erickson's vehicle ran through the intersection, narrowly missing Nancy and Zachary, who dove clear. Erickson escaped criminal charges by agreeing to film a public service announcement about safe driving.
Panish Attacks Both Defendants
Panish did not hold back in his assessment of the two defendants, describing them as "self-entitled" individuals who believe they can act without consequence. "She's never accepted any responsibility, and neither has Erickson," he told the jury. "It's up to you to hold them accountable."
Over a lengthy session on the witness stand, Panish pressed Erickson on his relationship with Grossman, the events of that night, and his behavior in the aftermath. The former pitcher denied any responsibility for the boys' deaths, denied racing Grossman, and denied exceeding 50 miles per hour. He was, however, forced to admit he had lied to police about which vehicle he had been driving — he owned two black Mercedes SUVs and routinely swapped a single license plate between them.
"He's an admitted, repeated pathological liar, perjurer, suppressor of evidence," Panish said of Erickson. "Who drives around with fake license plates? Criminals."
Defense Arguments: Deny Racing, Shift Blame
Erickson's attorney, Jeff Braun, acknowledged in his closing statement that his client had made serious missteps. "My client made some stupid, stupid decisions related to this case," Braun said. "My client lied to the police. He lied to his lawyers in this case. And that's a hard, hard hole to dig out of." Braun nonetheless argued that Erickson did not strike the boys and that evidence of racing was insufficient. He suggested the jury award the Iskander family $10 million — an amount he said would allow them "to do the things to move their lives forward."
Grossman's attorney, Esther Holm, directed blame at the city of Westlake Village, arguing the crosswalk where the boys were killed had long been a known hazard. "The city knew about this dangerous condition for years," Holm said. "People were having incidents, near misses."
Panish rejected that framing in his rebuttal. "They don't get it," he said, shaking his head. "They don't accept a single bit of responsibility."
What the Jury Must Decide
If the jury finds Grossman, Erickson, or both negligent, and determines that negligence was a substantial factor in causing the boys' deaths, jurors must then assign a dollar value to the Iskander family's losses. Those losses include the deprivation of love, companionship, comfort, and affection — both past and future. The jury may also award compensation to Nancy and Zachary for emotional distress.
A separate phase of the trial will address potential punitive damages against Grossman and Erickson, should the jury determine that punishment beyond compensatory awards is warranted.
Source: Courthouse News Service