Civil Trial Begins Against Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson Over 2020 Fatal Crosswalk Collision
Introduction
Opening statements began on Friday in a civil trial seeking financial damages from Rebecca Grossman and former professional baseball player Scott Erickson. The case comes from a September 2020 incident in Westlake Village, California, in which Grossman struck and killed two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, while they crossed a street with their mother. Grossman is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence after a criminal conviction for second-degree murder.
Main Body
The civil proceedings, started by the boys' parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, aim to establish who is responsible for the deaths. Brian Panish, the Iskanders' lead attorney, asserted during his opening statement that both Grossman and Erickson continue to deny responsibility. Panish claimed that Grossman blames the parents' negligence and the intersection's design for the crash, a position he described as an attempt to avoid accountability. He further alleged that Grossman and Erickson were racing their Mercedes vehicles before the collision, citing witness testimony and vehicle data that showed Grossman's speed exceeded 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. Panish also stated that Grossman had consumed alcohol and had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 three hours after the crash, along with barbiturates in her system, which he argued could increase impairment. Erickson's attorney, Deborah Tropp, contested these claims, maintaining that her client was not racing and that his speed was about 50-55 mph. She argued that Erickson, upon seeing the boys in the crosswalk, accelerated to avoid them and believed he had not hit anyone. Tropp denied claims that Erickson fled the scene or hid in bushes, stating he returned to Grossman's residence and later went back to the crash site, where police prevented him from approaching. She also refuted testimony from Grossman's daughter that Erickson was intoxicated and agitated that evening, suggesting the daughter's account had changed over time. Grossman's attorney, Esther Holm, argued that her client was not impaired, was not speeding, and that the city of Westlake Village was responsible for failing to fix known safety hazards at the crosswalk, such as missing stop signs and poor lighting. Holm contended that Grossman did not see the children because an airbag deployment created dust inside the vehicle, and that she did not try to flee. She also pointed to Erickson's actions, asserting that he did not warn Grossman of the children despite seeing them, and that he gave investigators the wrong vehicle for inspection. Holm noted that Grossman and Erickson were in a relationship at the time, but described it as a known separation from her husband rather than a secret affair. Panish presented video testimony from former baseball player Royce Clayton, a friend of Erickson, who claimed Erickson admitted to racing and swerving to avoid the children, with Grossman then hitting them. Tropp questioned the reliability of eyewitness accounts, noting contradictions among them. The Iskanders' legal team also played a deposition from Grossman's daughter, who stated that Erickson smelled of alcohol and appeared frantic after the crash. Grossman was not present in the courtroom, and her attorney indicated she would not testify. Erickson is expected to take the stand during the trial.
Conclusion
The civil trial continues with both sides presenting different accounts of the events that led to the boys' deaths. The outcome will determine financial responsibility for Grossman and Erickson, while Grossman remains in prison for her criminal conviction. The case highlights ongoing disputes over responsibility and the role of external factors such as intersection safety and alleged impairment.