Former MLB Player Royce Clayton Breaks Down While Testifying Against Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson

The civil wrongful death trial connected to the 2020 Westlake Village crash that killed two young brothers took an emotional turn as former MLB player Royce Clayton testified in court.

Clayton became emotional while describing a conversation with his longtime friend, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, who allegedly told him he witnessed Rebecca Grossman strike the two boys with her vehicle.

The case continues to draw national attention as the families of the victims seek accountability in civil court.


Table of Contents

  1. What Happened in the Westlake Village Crash?
  2. Royce Clayton’s Emotional Court Testimony
  3. Rebecca Grossman’s Criminal Conviction
  4. Scott Erickson’s Role in the Civil Lawsuit
  5. FAQ

What Happened in the Westlake Village Crash?

In September 2020, brothers Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, were struck and killed while crossing a street in Westlake Village, California.

Prosecutors said Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson had been out drinking before driving in separate vehicles toward Grossman’s home.

Authorities alleged Grossman was speeding when she hit the boys.


Royce Clayton’s Emotional Court Testimony

During Friday’s testimony, Royce Clayton told jurors that Erickson called him after the crash and described what happened.

According to Clayton, Erickson said he was driving ahead and had to swerve to avoid the boys in the crosswalk.

Clayton testified:

Key StatementDetails
Erickson’s claimHe swerved to avoid the boys
Grossman’s positionDriving directly behind Erickson
What Erickson allegedly sawGrossman hit the children

While recounting the story, Clayton became visibly emotional and broke down on the witness stand.

He also told jurors he believes Erickson should be held accountable.


Rebecca Grossman’s Criminal Conviction

Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was convicted in the criminal case and sentenced in June 2024.

Conviction Summary

ChargeResult
Second-degree murderGuilty (2 counts)
Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligenceGuilty (2 counts)
Hit-and-run drivingGuilty (1 count)

She received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Grossman is not expected to testify in the current civil trial.


Scott Erickson’s Role in the Civil Lawsuit

Although Scott Erickson was not called to testify during the criminal trial, he has now been named in the civil lawsuit filed by the Iskander family.

Grossman’s defense previously argued that Erickson may have been the one who struck the boys.

The family’s legal team argues that Erickson shares responsibility for the deadly crash.

He is expected to testify during the civil proceedings.


FAQ

Q1: Who were the victims in the Westlake Village crash?

Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, were killed while crossing the street in 2020.

Q2: Why did Royce Clayton testify?

Clayton testified about a phone call in which Scott Erickson allegedly described seeing Grossman hit the boys.

Q3: Was Rebecca Grossman already convicted?

Yes. She was convicted in criminal court and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Q4: Why is Scott Erickson involved in the civil trial?

The victims’ family claims he may share legal responsibility for the crash.

Q5: Will Grossman testify?

No. She is not expected to testify in the civil case.


Conclusion

The wrongful death civil trial continues to revisit one of California’s most heartbreaking crash cases.

With emotional testimony from Royce Clayton and the expected appearance of Scott Erickson, the civil proceedings may further shape public understanding of what happened that night in Westlake Village.

By 周 恭介

專業定位: SEO、AEO(Answer Engine Optimization)、GEO(Generative Engine Optimization)、Google Ads、Facebook Ads、內容行銷、AI 搜尋策略與運動產業內容分析專家。 長期投入搜尋引擎優化、生成式 AI 搜尋、內容行銷與數位廣告領域,專注研究 AI 時代下的流量變化與品牌曝光策略,擅長將複雜的搜尋演算法、使用者需求與行銷數據整理成可執行的策略架構,協助企業提升自然流量、AI 搜尋能見度與整體數位行銷成效。 同時長期關注全球運動產業發展,持續研究 NBA、國際足球、撞球運動與體育媒體趨勢,透過數據分析、賽事觀察與產業研究,提供兼具專業性與市場觀點的運動內容解析。 專長領域: 具備多年網站經營、搜尋引擎優化與數位廣告實戰經驗,專注於 AI 搜尋趨勢、品牌成長策略與運動內容研究。

發佈留言

發佈留言必須填寫的電子郵件地址不會公開。 必填欄位標示為 *