The Bastardi family would file a lawsuit against Daniel Schuler and Warren Hance seeking unspecified damages for wanton, willful, and reckless conduct. Eight people were killed when a minivan, being driven by 36-year-old Diane Schuler, traveled 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in the wrong direction on the . Dianes daughter, Barbara, expressed concern that the family did not know what happened to Diane. In June 2010, New York State Police released their final report of the incident, which confirmed that Diane Schuler was highly intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana at the time of the collision. The family of the late businessman wants him to live on. Schuler, her daughter and three nieces, and the three passengers in the oncoming SUV were killed. True Crime Society - Tragedy on the Taconic: Diane Schuler For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. ", PREVIOUSLY ON CRIMESIDERAugust 11, 2009 - Paper: Reunion in the Works for Wrong-Way Crash FamiliesAugust 10, 2009 - Paper: Wrong-Way Crash Mom's Husband Had DWIAugust 7, 2009 - Crash Mom's Husband: Killer or Victim: Who Was Wrong-Way Crash Mom?August 6, 2009 - Crash Mom's Husband: "I Would Marry Her Again Tomorrow" August 5, 2009 - Despicable! "[20][27] According to Tom Ruskin, a private investigator hired by Daniel's lawyers, none of the McDonald's employees had seen anything in Schuler's behavior to suggest that she was intoxicated. Did Prince Andrew fly on Jeffrey Epsteins plane Lolita Express? The Journal News. I just wish that he would just admit that she was drunk. [28], Ruskin told reporters in early September that he had interviewed Diane's relatives, none of whom had ever seen her intoxicated by alcohol. But the egregious nature of the accident is highly unique. They got on Route 17/Interstate 86 and the New York Thruway (Interstate 87), Ramapo-Sloatsburg service area, and crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge, heading east. A medical examiner found Diane Schuler's blood-alcohol level was 0.19, more than twice the state's legal limit of 0.08, according to Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. The passengers of the Tracker, however, got away with minor injuries. That, of course, makes her sick and drunk and still in pain and not thinking clearly at all. Taste The Refreshing Flavors Of Belgian White Ale! [7][8][9] A co-owner of the campground later said that Diane appeared sober when she departed.[10][11]. And then ignored her children's screams of terrors and pleas to pull over as traffic was coming head on. He doesn't remember what happened in the car. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause physical and social problems in people with ABS. WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. A man who died in the wrong-way crash that killed eight people on a New York highway survived the impact and suffered at least briefly from pain . Edit: Some people have pointed out other instances of drunk drivers driving on the wrong side of the highway, which is fair. November 24, 2009 8:26pm. Diane Schulers death is still a mystery to this day. I need someone to come slap me because I am literally obsessed with this case. Throughout the documentary, Daniel and Jay Schuler, Diane's sister-in-law, claim that Ruskin would not return their phone calls for nine months. An autopsy report concludes that there were no heart problems or brain issues in the deceased. Her minivan collided with an SUV, resulting in the deaths of Schuler, her daughter, her three nieces, and three passengers in the other car. Taconic wrong-way crash questions unanswered 5 years later subscribers . I think Diane was in a lot of pain with the abscess and was using the vodka to swish and numb the pain. [21] The results of an autopsy on the day following the crash, conducted by a Westchester County medical examiner, found that Diane had not suffered a stroke, an aneurysm, or a heart attack. Paterson's Plan to Toughen DWI Laws, "Death Driver Diane Schuler Was Sober in McDonald's Before Crash, Says Family Investigator, "Family: No Signs of Long-Term Drinking in Driver in Fatal Crash, "Autopsy: Wrong-Way Crash Driver Not an Alcoholic, "Expert: Diane Schuler Should Have Had Hair Drug Test, Schuler's husband meets again with State Police, "Authorities: Autopsy Offers No Explanation for Crash, "Families Fight over Planned HBO Film of Taconic Death Driver Diane Schuler on Anniversary of Tragedy, "Family of Wrong-Way Drivers Victims Fires Back, "Bastardi Jr. Says HBO Documentary was a "Farce", "Victims' Families Angered by Schuler Claims, "Taconic Tragedy: Schuler Was Going 85 MPH in Wrong Direction, Final Police Report Says, "Challenger Pokes Holes In Westchester DA's Record, "DiFiore Pleased with Easy Win, Schorr Proud of Campaign, "Updated: Victims' Family Wants DA to Investigate Schuler Case, "Court May Name Executor of Diane Schuler's Estate, "Judge to Appoint Administrator for Diane Schulers Estate, "Suit Filed in Wrong-Way Crash That Killed 8 on Taconic, "Mother of Girls in Taconic Accident Files Suit", "Husband of Wrong Way Driver Sues State, In-Laws", "GOP Senator Fuschillo Demands Action, Tougher Laws for Drunken Driving: 'Leandra's Law, "Dr. Phil.com - Shows - Drunk Driving Moms", "Oprah Challenges Taconic Crash Investigator on Show, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2009_Taconic_State_Parkway_crash&oldid=1138477773, Transportation disasters in New York (state), Articles with dead external links from September 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2019, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from June 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 22:27. [39], In June 2010, following eleven months of analysis, the New York State Police issued its final report on the crash. July 26, 2011 -- Two years after the horrific Taconic State Parkway crash, the husband of Diane Schuler is suing New York State and the father of three nieces who were killed when the Long Island . [25][26], Daniel and his attorney, Barbara, believed that Schuler was driving erratically due to a sudden medical emergency, such as a stroke. Also in the van with Schuler were her 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, and her brother's three daughters, ages 8, 7, and 5. The husbands callous behavior tells an a bigger story. [9][12][14][15], Investigators did not determine what route Schuler took from the bridge to the Taconic State Parkway ramps near Briarcliff Manor. A co-owner for the campground said that when she left Diane Schuler appeared sober. By Monika. Wrong. While there, Schuler attempted to buy some over-the-counter pain relief, but it was not sold at the Sunoco. #inline-recirc-item--id-d466033c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-d466033c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Makes no sense. The Trailblazer would then struck a 2002 Chevrolet Tracker. Schulers surviving niece and her 5-year-old son Bryan were still alive at the scene. She brought us back to life.''. The fact that she had killed 8 people seemed incidental . The Bastardis, who intend to sue Daniel Schuler in civil court, have their own concerns about the autopsy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Blood-Ethanol-.19g/100mL. [4][5], The ensuing investigation into the crash's cause received nationwide media attention. The following photos are of the collision site only, and do not feature autopsy and cadaver photos. Jackie Hance, the mother of the Schulers three nieces who died in the crash, would also file a lawsuit against Daniel Schuler in July 2011. Crash Mom Was Trashed. Diane Schuler's Hidden Life: When Functional Addiction Turns to Tragedy August 7, 2009 - Crash Mom's Husband: Killer or Victim: Who Was Wrong-Way Crash Mom? The resilient . By all accounts, she was a good employee, a loving mother, and a happy member of the family. This also drew criticism saying that a grand jury investigation into the crash should have been opened. If this was a standard ugly crash - fine, I totally buy it. .14 - .19 The "good feelings" of euphoria begin to give way to some negative feelings such as anxiety and restlessness. In the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, 74-year-old Dan Longo, 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, and his 49-year-old son Guy were killed instantly. Ada Hart. What Happened To Diane Schuler Son? - On Secret Hunt Diane Schuler was diagnosed with gestational diabetes after giving birth and had an abscessed tooth for nearly two months. After driving 1.7 miles (2.7 km), Diane Schuler struck a 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer head-on at 85 mph. Daniel then changed his story, and consistently denied that his wife ever "drank to excess" or could have been drunk while driving that day. No possible explanation suffices for the horrific July 26 crash, in which Ms. Schuler, returning from a camping trip, drove 1.7 miles in the wrong direction on a curvy . I believe Danny and diane had some kind of disagreement that morning. Daniel, announced that Diane Schuler's body would be exhumed at her family's request. The Tragic Story Of Diane Schuler: Could Auto-Brewery Syndrome Have [2] The crash was the worst fatal motor vehicle crash to occur in Westchester County[3] since July 22, 1934, when a bus crash in Ossining claimed twenty lives. Diane Schuler Crash - 100% Murder-Suicide : r/UnresolvedMysteries - reddit Only Schuler's 5-year-old son, Bryan, survived. He remained hospitalized for several weeks before returning home in early October. Taconic victim survived briefly, knew he was about to die - New York Post ", "Wrong-Way Crash: "Diane Would Not Do This, "Victims' Families Express Revulsion at Schuler's TV Appearance, "Taconic Mom Drank But Was No Drunk: Hubby Changes Story, "Driver Said to Have Used Marijuana Regularly, "Family of Victims in Deadly Taconic crash Support Gov. Why would she drink vodka in the van with 5 kids, and how? PDF Diane Schuler Police Report - 2009 Taconic State Parkway Accident "It makes me angry that he keeps denying it," said Margaret Nicotina, Bastardi's daughter. Did Diane Schuler's behavior cause one of the worst crashes of all time The SuperMom who Snapped. What happened to Diane Schuler? - Medium Her husband literally did nothing. [48] On July 26, 2011, the day after the premiere of the HBO documentary and on the second anniversary of the crash, Daniel sued the state for not "keeping the road safe" and his brother-in-law Warren Hance as the owner of the minivan that Diane was driving. Chronic fatigue syndrome can lead to anxiety, depression, and low productivity in addition to health issues. Schuler herself then talked to Hance and said that she was disoriented and could not see clearly. What Happened To Aunt Diane? Taconic Crash Body Of Diane Schuler Taconic Crash Site Where Drunk Mom Killed Kids Is Filled With Ghosts A devastating multi-car crash from 2009 gets some clarity with a fresh look at psychological profiling and behavioral analysis. Did she mistake the vodka for water? The children were not in seat belts or car seats at the time of the collision. SHE DROVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR TWO MILES. A final autopsy report shows Diane Schuler was drunk -- and there was no evidence of other medical conditions that explain the deadly crash. All the conspiracies surrounding Nicola Bulleys disappearance and death, Who killed Jeffrey Epstein? Diane Schuler instantly died in the course of a single conversation. Several readers have commented on my original blog post "The Taconic Parkway Crash" about the possibility that Diane Schuler experienced a rare medical complication called 'Auto Brewery Syndrome' and that this condition may have led to her erratic behavior, elevated blood-alcohol level, and also account for her apparent lack of history of 'alcoholic behavior.' There was a lot of contention around Dianes drug and alcohol use. . Diane Schuler and her husband, Daniel, fought for custody of their children for the next few weeks and months. The report upheld the previous toxicology findings that, at the time of the crash, Schuler was highly intoxicated by alcohol and had high levels of THC in her system. 147 First Avenue East Was there a lot of pain she experienced? On a Sunday morning, Diane Schuler drove the wrong way up an off-ramp (pictured above) in a minivan filled with children onto the Taconic and proceeded two miles before crashing into an SUV head on and ending eight lives, including her own. In 2001, Dr. Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD, a psychologist, professor, and director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University in Canada, described auto-brewery syndrome in a child with short gut syndrome. "The lengths these people are taking to deny reality are just astounding and painful to my clients," Irving Anolik, attorney for the Bastardis, told the News. If youre a massive true crime stan, do sign upfor our newsletter. The foundation's central project is Beautiful Me, a self-esteem program designed to educate girls by promoting appreciation for their genuine qualities, accurate self-awareness, and the satisfaction of helping others. The 2009 Taconic State Parkway Crash: Aunt Diane Was Drunk And - Medium If she was in pain , drank to full it, then spoke to her brother and thought she wasnt going to be driving , smoking would have been ok for her to do because she wasnt going to be high and drive. Two men who saw the accident said that they saw a large, broken Absolut Vodka bottle in the van when trying to pull Schuler out of the car. Diane Schuler, a 36-year-old . The end of the exit ramp, at the intersection with Pleasantville Road, is marked with two signs that read "Do Not Enter" and two signs that read "One Way". Daniel denied that she drank to excess or smoked marijuana except on occasion to relieve insomnia. I just dont think its as straight forward as it was portrayed . Toxicology Results. display: block; At 11:37am, Schuler called Hance to tell him that she and the children were caught in traffic. When she stopped with the kids at McDonalds and ordered orange juice, I think she figured it would be easier to hide the vodka from the kids by adding it to the orange juice, only orange juice is acidic and would burn horribly when swishing. Diane had multiple bone fractures, with lacerations in her internal organs. I believe diane had some major medical pain that day. Schuler, her daughter, and two of her nieces were declared dead at the scene. He was a child , not a husband. As a result of this reaction, the affected individuals blood alcohol content (BAC) rises. Schuler had a blood alcohol level of 0.19 at the time of the accident, and her family has long insisted that she was not a drunk driver. Part 14: Diane Schuler and the Taconic Parkway Collision- Photo Gallery. The medical examiner reported that Diane Schuler's blood alcohol content was .19 percent, more than twice the legal limit. Exploring The Calorie Content Of Shiner Bock Beer: How Many Calories In A Bottle? They were required to include Hance in the suit as he was the owner of the van. Maybe if he knows what happened that morning, if they argued or anything, that would be the truth. [31] Daniel and Barbara announced plans to exhume Diane's body in order to perform the hair test and other examinations; other experts said that this test was unlikely to produce any new information, as tests from two separate labs had come to identical conclusions. Depression and mental health can cause a person to do insane things. [25] In July 2010, it was reported that Daniel had accepted a $100,000 offer from a film company, Moxie Firecracker Films, to record his wife's exhumation for an HBO documentary. Its also known as Leandras Law.. Documents released Friday show that Schuler pulled over twice prior to the crash, where she was seen "bent over as if she was sick" at 11:45 a.m., and again 30 minutes later, outside the van, "like she's getting sick," WCBS reports. Due to the fact that Diane died, however, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said that charges died with her. According to the New York Post, Daniel Rother, Dianes husband, is suing the state and Warren Hance, Dianes brother, claiming that they were responsible for the crash that killed eight people. The occupants of a third vehicle sustained minor injuries. } C'mon. TV review: 'There's Something Wrong With Aunt Diane' Its also known as Leandras Law. The fiery July 26 crash on the Taconic Parkway killed Schuler, her 2-year-old daughter, three young nieces and three men in the SUV. This is a family who is trying desperately (almost to the point of irrationality) to preserve her imageOR, more likely, to deflect any potential legal or financial responsibility from themselves. This money was, reportedly, to be placed in trust for Bryan. Schuler's family, including her husband, Daniel Schuler, blamed her bizarre behavior . If we accept the case that she is an alcoholic (I think the alcoholism is moot at this point), then you're trying to tell me that a seasoned alcoholic who has presumably been drinking heavily for years, gets this messed up after some vodka and weed? Even though there is currently no cure for ABS, treatment can help manage the condition while lowering the risk of harm. True crime, usually, tends to focus pretty heavy toward unsolved mysteries, which can be a wild variety. I think diane drank a bit but certainly not to get drunk. It is a rare medical condition that can be treated by treating auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) or Gut fermentation syndrome. The 2009 Taconic State Parkway crash was a traffic collision that occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009, on the Taconic State Parkway in the town of Mount Pleasant, near the village of Briarcliff Manor, New York, United States. Whats your thoughts? From Zero to Hero: Write Your Short in 30 days, Boost Your Online Presence with Digital Arab: The Best SEO Consultant in Dubai, Personalized Perfection: Discover the Best Customized Gifts in Dubai, Nick Taylor The Evolution and Development of Film Business, A Crisis Among Smart Girls and An Unlikely Answer, 23-Year-Old Internet Sensation Sven Patzer Officially Becomes Famous. In response to Schorr's comments, DiFiore responded, "Is he suggesting that there was criminal evidence of a crime committed by someone and we wouldn't pursue it? [6], At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009, 36-year-old Diane Schuler left the Hunter Lake Campground in Parksville, New York, located in the Catskill Mountains, where the family kept their camping trailer. Diane Schuler was able to do so. In July 2011, Jackie Hance, who lost her three daughters in the crash, filed suit against Daniel, her brother-in-law. But the tragedy changed that perception. Diane Schuler, 36, a mother of two from Long Island, was driving at 70 mph in her Mercedes-Benz, drunk and high. Regardless of why or how it got in her system, this is the reality and unfortunate fact. Although a red Ford minivan hurtled down the fast lane of the northern entrance to the Taconic State Parkway in Mount Pleasant, it was not traveling north. Barbara also mentioned an "abscess" that had persisted in Diane's mouth for seven weeks prior to her death, and a lump in her leg, about which she[who?] At 1:33 p.m., two drivers called 9-1-1 after noticing her van edging onto the parkway's northbound exit ramp. I'll add a key piece of evidence - her BAC of 0.19. My guess is a migraine. Jackie Hance lived an inimaginable nightmare on July 26, 2009, when her three daughters, Emma, 8, Alyson, 7, and Katie, 5, were tragically killed by her sister-in-law Diane Schuler. Shortly after, Schuler was seen with her hands on her knees like she was vomiting at two separate instances. GoreGirl89 Mortician&F.D. Really sad and the denial in the family is even sadder. Diane was the first pulled out of the car. The purse: In the documentary pause it at the photo of the Vodka bottle. Taconic death-driver Diane Schuler's family is seizing on autopsy results as proof she wasn't an alcoholic - even though they show she was drunk and stoned. Daniel Schulers insistence that his wife was not intoxicated at the time of the collision has drawn criticism, especially from the families of the victims in the Trailblazer. There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane (TV Movie 2011) - IMDb ", "ME: Schuler retests will show lower alcohol content. In essence, accident reconstruction is a branch of causation forensics that involves knowing how and why an accident happened. It also fits both of their ridiculous theorys like the abyss causing a stroke. Diane Schulers preliminary autopsy did not reveal any suspicious circumstances, according to officials with the Westchester County Medical Examiners Office. 2 theories are available , she got too high and didnt know what she was doing ( blackout) or for whatever reason , she became an entirely different person after getting drunk and smoking ( this wasnt crack) and decided to kill herself , her own children , her brothers and whoever else she rammed into? He also reported a high level of THC , the active ingredient of marijuana. The legal limit in the state of New York is .08%. Diane Schuler, her daughter Erin, and her three nieces also died in the crash. The auto-brewery syndrome has gained a lot of attention in recent years as a result of news reports and case studies. The men tried to pull the girls out of the van and noted that they had no pulse. The Diane Schuler Story Was She Driving Drunk? - The Oprah Winfrey "How could she?" Well, I have a theory | Salon.com , Daniel Schuler filed a lawsuit against the state of New York for not keeping the road safe and against Warren Hance as he owned the minivan that Diane was driving.