Testimony Continues in Civil Trial for 2020 Westlake Crash That Claimed Two Young Lives
Family of Deceased Boys Seeks Accountability in High-Profile Civil Case
The family of Mark and Jacob Iskander is urging jurors to hold Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson accountable for the deaths of the two boys. The former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Center, face a $100 million lawsuit following a tragic crash in Westlake Village in September 2020.
Grossman has already been convicted of killing the brothers, aged 11 and 8, who were at a marked crosswalk with their family when the incident occurred. Currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, Grossman, alongside Erickson—her boyfriend at the time of the crash—now faces civil scrutiny regarding liability and damages.
Erickson testified for the first time on Monday but was not on the stand as expected on Tuesday. Instead, the court heard from experts, including a former deputy with the LA County Sheriff’s Department and a member of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Dr. Matthew Miller, who is now practicing in the Inland Empire, testified that the Iskander boys died from blunt-force trauma. He noted that Mark Iskander’s head injuries, including significant skull fractures, were severe enough that he would have succumbed even with immediate medical attention. Dr. Miller also indicated that the boys’ injuries matched marks found on the grill of Grossman’s Mercedes-Benz SUV, though he could not determine if they were struck by a single vehicle or possibly two.
During his earlier testimony, Erickson admitted to deleting WhatsApp messages with Grossman after the crash, claiming he was unaware those communications would serve as evidence. He revealed that he learned of the boys’ deaths the following day but did not report his involvement until contacted by investigators weeks later. Although he claimed he was not "racing" Grossman at the time of the accident, he acknowledged driving 55 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone.
Last week, former teammate Royce Clayton testified that he had shared margaritas with Erickson and Grossman prior to the crash.
As the civil trial enters its thirteenth day, proceedings are expected to extend for an additional three to four weeks as jurors consider the implications of this heartbreaking case.
