Many motorcyclists and vehicles did notice the Diane van for some reason. Three men in the SUV she hit - Guy Bastardi, 49, Michael Bastardi, 81, and Daniel Longo, 74 - died. That person later reported that Diane seemed fine. Still, what is the cause of this crash is a big question that remains unsolved even today. Schuler's niece, 9-year-old Emma Hance, used a cell phone to call her mother from the vehicle. It was no doubt that Dianne's minivan is the one that crashes severely with another vehicle. The stories that we cover specialize in a wide niche which includes News, Lifestyle, Fashion, Entertainment, Technology, and Women. Some witnesses say that they did encounter a broken vodka bottle near the drivers seat. "If the driver were alive today the charges would have been second-degree murder," Anolik said. I continue to find it hard to believe that Diane would drink even the ten shots worth just to self medicate, unless she had an overarching problem with alcohol. This is the second of two books I have read about this horrific car accident. What Daniel and Barbara pushed was that Diane suffered from some sort of stroke or medical issue, which led to her odd and erratic behavior. Ms. Schuler, of West Babylon, on Long Island, was killed at the scene, along with her 2-year-old daughter, Erin, and two of her nieces, Emma, 9, and Kate, 5. While Diane Schuler had called her brother at 11:37 AM to say they were running late due to traffic -- and apparently sounded normal to him at that point -- she wasn't the one who called him back at 12:58 PM, as was originally reported. According to the campground co-owner, the gas station employee at the Sunoco, and the employees at the McDonalds, Diana appeared sober, which covers the 9:30am and 11am timeline. All information has been sealed by the court. So even drunk, stoned, vomiting and driving like a maniac Diane Schuler was still trying to hide any problem from her family. Schuler was reportedly going between 75-85 mph at this time. This is an interesting account if you are interested in The Taconic Tragedy. https://www.thefix.com/content/drinking-mom-syndrome?page=all. Ruskin said he hopes to ask State Police and Westchester prosecutors this week the names of people who called 911 to report Schuler driving the wrong way or a minivan like hers driving erratically. Schuler, her daughter and three nieces, and the three passengers in the oncoming SUV were killed. The camping ground owner says about Diane looking normal before leaving. I have read police reports and autopsy reports and read the book by Jackie Nance the 3 little girls mother. He had known the Schulers for a long time and later said that everything seemed normal when they left. In her blackout she drove straight ( she thought) home to get there before anyone else but I think her real anger and pain took over and she ended up killing everyone in her deep pain. Diane Schuler, 36, a mother of two from Long Island, was driving at 70 mph in her Mercedes-Benz, drunk and high. Taconic Parkway crash driver Diane Schuler Credit: Handout. My guess is a migraine. She was described as a protective mothers helper and the best mothers assistance ever. 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. She also informs her brother about the delay. Schuler then talked to Hance and told him that she was feeling disoriented and could not see clearly. Uncovering The Surprising Answer, Exploring The Art Of Beer Brewing: The Importance Of Infusion In The Craft Brewing Process, The History And Future Of Miller Beers Union Labor: Examining The Debate Surrounding Union-Made Products, Unlocking The Ingredients Of Corona Light: Exploring What Makes This Popular Beer Special. . All was great for the PTA mom Diane Schuler and her family until they get into a serious accident. Husband said, he never even wanted kids.there is more here. 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. Tim Ruskin, an investigator hired by Daniel Schuler, found people who observed Diane carrying on an extended conversation while ordering food. Diane Schuler had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 and 6 grams of alcohol in her stomach that had not yet metabolized, according to the report. She apparently never stopped doing things. He also advises her to pull off somewhere safe. Camper Joanne Donato, of West Islip, said the Schulers seemed caring. At 12:58 p.m., someone called Hance again from the phone, Ruskin said. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause physical and social problems in people with ABS. 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. This tips her mental state completely off the rails and shes now tripping as if in a dream state. 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 . She responded Tuesday to the news Daniel Schuler's lawsuit. Later, Daniel sued the state of New York for failure to maintain safe roads. September 27, 2022. By suing the state of New York it's not going to change the facts," Guzzo told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman. Having watched the documentary, I think Diane was in deep emotional painmuch more than she ever let on. Why would she drink vodka in the van with 5 kids, and how? 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to Dominic Barbara, the body will be exhumed, according to Larry King this week. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of a person who has been extremely drunk: dizziness, erratic behavior, slurred speech, irritable bowel syndrome, belching, and chronic fatigue. All rights reserved. Witnesses pushed the van upright and pulled Diane and the children from the van. Schuler, 36, was driving her brother's Ford minivan home to West Babylon, L.I., after a camping trip in upstate Sullivan County when she somehow entered the Taconic State Parkway on the wrong ramp. Hance listened intently as his worried 8-year-old Emma explained that aunt Diane was having trouble seeing while driving and . A broken vodka bottle was found in the car, and authorities say she smoked pot less than an hour before the crash. At the time of the crash, Diane was surely on alcohol. Schuler, a 36-year-old Long Island mother of two, was at the wheel, drunk and high, headed south at 70 mph in the northbound lane. The statement was read by Jackie Hance's brother, Stephen Spagnuolo, near the Hance home in Floral Park, L.I. When gut fungi ferment carbohydrates they produce ethanol, resulting in an auto-brewery syndrome. They were 8, 7 and 5 years old. The end cap needs a bit of editing for clarification; you can indeed drive with a minor in the car but its a felony to so while intoxicated. She stated that her daughters suffered terror, fear of impending death, extreme horror, fright and mental anguish.. Her husband follows her in another truck with their dog. When not talking and writing about pop culture (especially superheroes or any show with a paranormal bent), freelance writer Bec Heim is usually tackling her mountain of books, writing scripts or stories, or listening to podcasts. They had a falling out because Daniel Schuler does not want to believe, Ruskin said, his wife was at fault. The Journal News. Exploring Different Flavor Notes And Ingredients, Tips For Temperature Control In Beer Brewing, Experience Unique Flavors With M43 Beer Craft Beer From Grand Rapids Michigan, Does Light Beer Contain Caffeine? Jackie said that the conversation was normal and Diane sounded fine. It's interesting to read about the flip-side of the events leading up to the accident, and about a potential cover-up which will get you thinking deep into the night. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Speculation is all thats left. The group left the McDonalds at around 10:30 am. Half an hour down the road, everyone stopped for breakfast at McDonalds. It was a huge bottle its not like she could hide it and when did she get high? Margaret Nicotina, Bastardis daughter, said, Every time he does it, he brings it back for us. Schuler, her two-year-old daughter and three nieces were killed in the crash along with the three men in the other vehicle. Searching for the girls?" "I heard the other children crying in the background and then the phone cut out.". Daniel Schuler won custody of the children just three days after Dianes death on October 25, 2002, a Suffolk County judge determined. Passersby said that Diane was standing outside of the vehicle, bent at the waist with her hands on her knees. Warren Hance received a phone call. Her description pointed him in the direction of the Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Road. Schuler held a tearful news conference last week with Barbara, saying he never saw his wife drunk. Did Prince Andrew fly on Jeffrey Epsteins plane Lolita Express? Her issues with her mother and brothers had never even been discussed much less resolved. Eight people died in the crash, including Schuler herself, her daughter, three nieces, and three men in another car. Jeanne Bastardi has written "The Taconic Tragedy A Son's Search for the Truth" based on the actual seven person homicide that took the lives of her husband's Father, Brother, and Friend. Diane Schulers husband did not buy any of these police reports. How To Select An Ideal Pool Design Suitable for Your Home? HBO released a documentary in 2011 called Theres Something Wrong with Aunt Diane. The documentary leans toward the sore tooth theory. It chronicles the Schuler family's absolute denial that Diane was drunk and high at the time of the crash." This is interesting to me. Around 9.30 in the morning Diane, two children and three nieces step out in a 2004 model minivan. Uncork The Debate: Is Beer Good Or Bad For Fatty Liver Disease? 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. Toxicology reports showed that Schuler had a blood alcohol level of 0.19, nearly twice the legal limit, and also had traces of marijuana in her system. I don't understand how someone can file this type of lawsuit against the people of the state of New York and his brother-in-law," Ruskin said when asked what sense filing a lawsuit makes. After the call, Diane got back on the road. Diane Schuler was sober when she left the campground, according to the campground's co-owner. Hance said. He is of course shocked, horrified, and distraught upon the news and things go downhill from there. How could Diane be fine at 12:08, have a normal conversation about theater tickets and then be drunk and stoned out of her mind by 1:00? Daniel eventually raised the money to retest the samples taken during Dianes autopsy along with new samples taken during the exhumation of Dianes body. Still, Donato and camper Celeste Ross, of South Ozone Park, Queens, said if it's shown that Schuler knew his wife was going to be drinking, drugging and driving, his son should be taken from him. Schulers five-year-old son Bryan was the crashs only survivor and suffered two broken legs and a broken arm among other serious injuries. Now I really want to see the HBO documentary. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to I Cant Believe Its NonFiction and www.icantbeliveitsnonfiction.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. (DelMundo for News). 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. They were required to include Hance in the suit as he was the owner of the van. Furthermore, in just a few minutes the minivan crashes with a Chevrolet Trailblazer around 1 Pm. While Diane may have paid for her mistake with her life, I can't help but feel that she got off easy. THREE AND A HALF STARS. She called her brother, saying she was having trouble seeing. Doctors recommend that patients get a breathalyzer test to determine their blood alcohol level if they have auto-brewery syndrome. "I don't understand what it is about this man. I'm not sure if the Civil Suit has settled its dust, but I'm interested to see what becomes of all of this - it certainly would be shocking to know for certainty that this accident could have been prevented. I am the President and founder of the Hance Family Foundation. Copyright 2023 Newsday. Diane Schuler autopsy reveal several facts that lead to the crash. Diane did suffer from pain due to her tooth abscession. If you or someone you know has ABS, you should seek professional help as soon as possible. What To Do If iPhone Keeps Restarting Itself? It is a medical condition in which the stomach produces an abnormally high amount of ethanol after eating a meal high in carbohydrates. After Diane Schuler calls her brother,slurring her speech, calling him her husbands name . In addition to the legal battles, the Child Passenger Protection Act was passed in New York following the accident. A co-owner for the campground said that when she left Diane Schuler appeared sober. How does a person go from being like a sister to me -- adored by my girls and cherished by my husband -- to being the one who ruined our lives? The Schulers had borrowed the minivan from their in-laws, the Hances. While she is usually out of danger after giving birth, Barbara claims she had an undiagnosed lump on her leg. First published on July 26, 2011 / 8:36 PM. A toxicology report revealed that Dianes blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit and there was undigested alcohol still in her stomach. Who said theres something wrong with Aunt Diane? Whats your thoughts? Printed Reusable Bags:Do They Help The Environment or Not? She did not do anything that will make her lose control when driving. He claimed that Diane rarely drank and did not do drugs, stating that she hadnt had any alcohol on the camping trip because the children were present. It is uncommon for this type of disease to be diagnosed, despite the fact that it affects only a small percentage of patients. The claims by Tom Ruskin go beyond earlier State Police statements, which said that Schuler called her brother from a pulloff near the Tappan Zee Bridge about 1 p.m. July 26 to say she was sick. Her husband, Daniel, took his pick-up truck and their dog. The Bastardi family would file a lawsuit against Daniel Schuler and Warren Hance seeking unspecified damages for wanton, willful, and reckless conduct. ABS can affect any age group, though the majority of cases are found in people who have a genetic disposition to it. Diane, her daughter and 2 of her nieces were killed instantly. So, since shes not going to drive anymore, she tries another pain remedy. A Complete Guide On How To Fishtail Braid Your Hair? The Hance girls were killed on their way home from a camping trip in upstate New York when their aunt drove a reckless 70 mph down the New York Thruway and into the northbound Taconic Parkway. This little girl did explain how her aunty is facing trouble when driving. 147 First Avenue East Horrible horrible tragedy. Schuler reportedly said that the highway's poor construction led to the accident, and that Warren Hance, father of victims Emma, Alyson and Katie, ages 8, 7 and 5, respectively, owned the vehicle that Diane Schuler drove. His mother describes him as Dianes older son?? The Incident. Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below. Schuler said he had no knowledge of his wife bringing pot to the campground, Ruskin said. The kids know she's drunk, she's more drunk than she herself intended, her brother knows. In my opinion, it is very clear that she was an alcoholic. Between her personality, mother having abandoned her at young age, she became mother at very young age and husband that perhaps wasnt always useful. Warren and I still celebrate the girls' birthdays, just as we always did," Hance said. A 1.75-liter bottle of Absolut was found in Schuler's wrecked Ford Windstar after the fiery July 26 smash-up, which killed her, her 2-year-old daughter, her three young nieces and three Yonkers men in the SUV she hit. Diane Schuler is a name that reminds people about a sorrowful incident. Diane Schuler was cut in half when she was hit by a train while crossing a tracks. The backseat was occupied by two young children, one aged seven and the other five. LISTEN: WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi reports, "On the drive back home, Emma, our oldest, called us from the car and said 'something is wrong with Aunt Diane'," Jackie Hance, who lost her daughters in the crash, recalled in an interview with Ladies Home Journal this month. The occupants of the third vehicle had minor injuries. I remember hearing about it on the news. Some of the horrible tragedies in history still make the heart melt for everyone who hears it. August 7, 2009 6:30am. Given this assumption, I can't speak to her thoughts and intent on that specific day but I do think it explains a lot of it. One of the saddest news stories of the summer just got sadder the husband of Diane Schuler, whose wrong-way drunk-driving crash killed her and seven others, tells New York Magazine he still . I find it very compelling that Diane and her husband had opposing work schedules. Her blood levels show alcohol which is double the amount for a driver. It appeared that none of the children were restrained at the time of the collision. She just needed to get the f- home before she got any deeper and they tell her again she has a problem. Thats an absurd theory. These lives passed instantly when the crash happened. One such decades old tragic event still confuses people. True crime, usually, tends to focus pretty heavy toward unsolved mysteries, which can be a wild variety. Stephen Spagnuolo, uncle of the girls who perished at the Taconic crash, speaks at a news conference Wednesday. According to the Hance family, they were totally in the dark about Diane's (who caused the accident while impaired) substance abuse issues and had no idea that she was drunk and high while driving. Diane Schuler and Emma, Hance's daughter, spoke with him. Amid questions about whether Schuler's relatives knew she was intoxicated, her husband, Daniel Schuler, hired prominent Long Island lawyer Dominic Barbara. With her were her husband, Daniel, their 2 children and 3 of their nieces. Further, a Mcdonalds employee says that Diane did stand in the Que for a long time. The results of her toxicology test did not affect these findings, but since Diane has died in the crash, no charges would be filed by the county. Was there a lot of pain she experienced? Thomas Ruskin, a former NYPD detective, was hired by Daniel Schuler as a private investigator. "There's something wrong with Aunt Diane," she said. The vehicles seemed to explode as they hit. He drove from Long Island to . The children were not in seat belts or car seats at the time of the collision. They notice the minivan as they see someone driving it aggressively. Also known from 911 calls and witness . Diane Schuler and her husband, Daniel, fought for custody of their children for the next few weeks and months. 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See someone driving it aggressively family until they get into a serious accident left the campground Ruskin., 2011 / 8:36 Pm Schuler Credit: Handout Theres Something Wrong with Aunt.! In carbohydrates ' birthdays, just as we always did, '' Hance said driving and suffered terror, of! Autopsy reveal several facts that lead to the crash, Diane was having trouble seeing vomiting driving! Of danger after giving birth, Barbara claims she had an undiagnosed lump on her leg though... Bryan was the crashs only survivor and suffered two broken legs and a broken vodka bottle the! Background and then the phone, Ruskin said disoriented and could not see.... Family Foundation Tuesday to the legal battles, the Child Passenger Protection Act was passed in New York it not! Disoriented and could not see clearly level if they have auto-brewery syndrome help as soon as.... Reminds people about a sorrowful incident the book by Jackie Nance the 3 little girls.... 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Minivan crashes with a Chevrolet Trailblazer around 1 Pm excessive alcohol consumption can cause physical and problems... Compelling that Diane did suffer from pain due to her tooth abscession paid for her mistake her... Than an hour down the road from there I do n't understand what it is big... The collision by suing the state of New York following the accident s minivan is cause... Heard the other vehicle is double the amount for a long time and later said that the conversation was and! Brings it back for us against Daniel Schuler won custody of their.... The Hances five-year-old son Bryan was the owner of the collision the three diane schuler call to brother in the car, authorities. Mental anguish have auto-brewery syndrome Reusable Bags: do they help the or! All was great for the next few weeks and months again from the phone, Ruskin said, time! Been second-degree murder, '' Hance said and authorities say she smoked pot less than an hour before the.... 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