I know this family wants justice. On July 26, 2009 Diane Schuler killed herself and seven others when she drove the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway. The story of Diane Schuler is a sobering account of how dangerous the hidden life of functional addiction can be. I would recommend it though because some of the smaller details in Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! My brother. Verify and try again. "It's a puzzle," Bursztajn added. Please use a different way to share. Two hours later, Schuler plowed into an oncoming SUV, killing herself, her daughter, her brother's three little girls - and three others in the other vehicle. Some of the other reviews suggest that the anger that Jeanne Bastardi documents is unwarranted. I found this book when I finished Jackie Hance's book about the tragedy. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. I bought this in order to fill in some gaps in the story of this tragedy and the book does do that. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Drag images here or select from your computer for Diane E. Hance Schuler memorial. Drunkenness was evident: a blood alcohol content of 0.19 with 6 grams . Comment. Scott also said Schuler appeared sober the morning she drove away with the kids and was not known to have boozed at the site. No criminal charges are expected since Schuler died in the crash. Diane Schuler and her 2-year-old daughter also died in the accident. The Long Island mother was driving home from a camping trip when she got on the Taconic and drove nearly two miles in the wrong direction before plowing head-on into an SUV. I especially remember when he told me that my brother will "alwaysbe [my] brother" and that I should always be there for him--and that my brother would always be there for me. Schuler, her daughter . For the first time, filmmaker Garbus interviews eyewitnesses, first responders, investigators and medical and psychiatric experts and draws on surveillance footage, family photos, news clips and expert testimony to explore events surrounding the crash to see how things went so wrong. Sorry! State Police also said Thursday that investigators went to Long Island for a pre-arranged interview with Schulers husband, Daniel; however, when they arrived they were not granted the interview and his attorney, Dominick Barbara could offer no useful information, the police said. The Evidence That Diane Schuler May Have Experienced Auto Brewery Syndrome. And it would be reasonable to ask that Daniel Shueler not profit from the acts of his wife that day. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her daughter, Diane E. Hance-Schuler, granddaughters, Erin M. Schuler, Emma, Alyson, and Kate Hance. We have set your language to Here is the article that the NY Magazine reporter did. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. The whole affair just wreaks of selfish parenting, lies, substance abuse, dirty money, cover ups and vitriol. 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 . At 9:30am on July 26, 2009, Diane Schuler loaded up her two children (ages five and two) along with her brother's, Warren Hance, three daughters (ages eight, seven, and five) into her brother's red 2003 Ford Windstar and left the Hunter Lake Campground to start the journey to West Babylon, New York. Please share a memory of Eileen to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. Judging from Daniel Schulers recent pictures and the one (attached here) where hes walking and talking with a lawyer, he seems like a guy whos protecting himself from lawsuits. Schuler was also killed, along with her 2-year-old daughter Erin. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. We are sorry. Friends and family tell filmmaker Filmmaker Liz Garbus that in every aspect of her life, Diane Schuler strived for perfectionism. The Hances were Diane Schulers family. According to Barbara, Diane Schuler suffered from diabetes although additional sources cite Schuler as having had gestational diabetes, a temporary condition related to a prior pregnancy, rather than a chronic condition. Anyone with her blood alcohol content as well as her THC results, a whopping 113 vs a typical 2-5 is no stranger to substance abuse. They piled into her brother Warren's red 2004 Ford Windstar minivan, while her husband Daniel followed behind in a truck with the family dog. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Yes, something was wrong with Aunt Diane. I was curious to learn the story of the other victims in this senseless and mostly unexplained "accident" on a beautiful New York summer Sunday afternoon. One little boy (her son) survived with life altering injuries. This is due to various witness reports such as: s.19: "The vehicle was staying perfectly in the lane". However, there were several incidents where I would be functioning altogether normally, or what I considered normal for me at that time, and out-of-the-blue I would become totally disoriented and start doing things that made no sense at all. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Eileen was in town with close friends for the Worlds Largest Garage Sale. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Anyone with a hangover and red weed eyes would understand this behaviour. I agree with other readers that there was a lot of venom in this writing. "Diane could not forgive her mother or herself," he said. I always drank vodka at that time of day because it was much less detectable to those around me. On July 26, 2009, Schuler left Hunter Lake Campground in upstate New York with five children and headed back to their home in Long Island. "For someone like Diane, they try harder and harder and they will never be satisfied with being good enough," he said. "She compensated in the present for what she lost in the past. I didn't like the parts of the book where they discuss as a family the little boy who survived in an almost insulting and irreverent way. 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 dearFriend. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. What I found was a book that created conflicting emotions for me. Had she sought help, the tragedy might have been averted. Three men in the SUV she hit - Guy Bastardi, 49, Michael Bastardi, 81 . After all this, she enters an exit the wrong way and drives for almost two miles narrowly missing countless other vehicles until that terrible final collision. But owner Ann Scott insisted that such revelers are immediately thrown off the premises. Today marks the two year anniversary of the tragedy, and now, an HBO documentary, "There's Something Wrong With Aunt Diane," asks if Diane Schuler's obsessive perfectionism may have contributed to the crash. Evidence that proves Diane Schuler did not take alcohol or drugs. "She was very good at her job, and she was a take-charge person, too.". 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 dearFriend. Amidst all the uncertainties of how and why this accident occurred, this is the absolutely last thing that we ever would have expected, the Hances said in a statement. Doubtless, Mr. Barbara will come up with a way to explain that. What I found was a book that created conflicting emotions for me. Four hours later, she sped down the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County driving in the wrong direction. "Wrong way Mom Drunk and High". This condition would account Diane's apparent lack of prior alcoholic behaviors. "You can't imagine how complex that question is. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Eileens name to The Hance Family Foundation P.O. . "She had contacted her brother two hours before to say she wasn't feeling well" NY State police conference (7/27/09)"A drunk driver did not do this to your family," Daniel Schuler (9/1/09)** This book is based on the facts and information as presented to the family from the state police investigators, district attorney's office, private investigators, medical examiners, and other sources as listed. He also alleges in his lawsuit that the Chevy Trailblazer the family had borrowed from his brother-in-law Warren Hance, was faulty. Friends may call on Eileens family from 12-2 pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. My love for my father and brother, Guy, will continue to be as strong as it has been my entire life. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. "People said she seemed so normal," Bernstein said. I truely feel for their loss and pain. Diane, her daughter, and two of her nieces died immediately upon impact. In an interview scheduled to air Friday, the mother of three girls who were killed in a fatal New York wrong-way crash in 2009, tells NBC . There was an error deleting this problem. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Now today I found this more detailed information in the New York Post: Why is this curiously detailed point being stated in this article? 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. I think what was really going on was that they were so much in grief and were just not able to come forward. Ada Hart. We would never knowingly allow our daughters to travel with someone who might jeopardize their safety. We've received your submission. You really get a sense of the family's grief, particularly the son who lost his father and brother. Certainly not to drive straight, wrong side of the road or not. Schuler worked for Cablevision as director of credit and collections; the company put out a memo to employees on Monday mourning her loss. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. In keeping the promise that I made to my father, I hope this book can in some way speak for my brother, Guy, and my father. While many people questioned why the Bastardi's felt so much anger towards the other victims, the Hance's, after reading the book I understand why. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The car contained her own two kids and three nieces. On July 26, 2009, 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway in New York. "She was not someone who gave up. For several years before I got sober, I would awaken to three or four stiff (double alcohol at minimum) drinks before getting showered and dressed for work. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, "There's Something Wrong With Aunt Diane,". "But that was an impossible way to live and to be human at the same time.". Schuler had borrowed the red minivan from her sister-in-law, Jackie Hance, and had promised to get her niece back for a ballet lesson. The Schulers 5-year-old son, Bryan, who was the only survivor of the crash, has been moved out of the intensive-care unit at Westchester Medical Center, a source said. "She never complained about it," one friend said on camera. "Joan Schuler said that the deceased smoked marijuana virtually every single day of her life," said Irving Anolik, a lawyer for the family of Michael Bastardi and his son Guy, both of whom died when Diane Schuler . Accounts taken from actual police reports, witness statements, depositions, and investigators.Takes a look at the failure of the justice system and the making of a cover up. I would posit that's what she mixed her Absolut Vodka with that was found in the van rubble. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. The campground owner said nothing seemed amiss. AbeBooks, an Amazon company, offers millions of new, used, and out-of-print books. The Schulers 5-year-old son, Bryan, who was the only survivor of the crash, has been moved out of the intensive-care unit at Westchester Medical Center, a source said. "She lost touch with reality," he speculated. They were receptive to the State Police and very cooperative during the interviews, which continue. But no no, Diane doesn't drink and no one will even discuss the pot. . Diane's niece died in the hospital . If he knew his wife was a heavy drinker or a functioning alcoholic, why did he let her drive a van full of kids? My wife did not even know that I drank at that time of day. Not someone who was bad. Friends and family tell filmmaker Filmmaker Liz Garbus that in every aspect of her life, Diane Schuler strived to be the best. 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 . Schuler entered the northbound lanes of the Taconic by way of the Pleasantville Road exit near Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, cops said. Dad gets up early and leaves with the dog. The collision occurred after the troubled West Babylon resident drove south for 1.7 miles in the northbound lanes of the Taconic Parkway. July 13, 2011 12:40 pm. I believe there is a strong fragrance of criminality. Oops, we were unable to send the email. A caller to WABC/Channel 7 said the campground at Hunters Lake where Schuler and her family regularly stayed is a known boozing area, where wild parties are the norm. based on information from your browser. I had built up a tolerance to a rather high blood alcohol content and without it, I was much less functional. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Diane was a 36-year-old account executive, bringing home around $100,000 at the time of the crash. Her marriage seemed a bit rocky, and I think she felt trapped by it, the friend said of Schulers relationship with her husband, Daniel, a Nassau County public-safety officer. "Eventually, the fear, the shame and the humiliation come back.". To use this feature, use a newer browser. "It's a kind of fundamental perfectionism, so that life becomes unbearable in some ways," forensic psychiatrist Dr. Harold Bursztajn told ABCNews.com. This story has been shared 170,718 times. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. I was what is called a fully functional alcoholic, performing my daily duties and tasks in a manner that was acceptable to my employer and co-workers. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Search above to list available cemeteries. A new report says Diane Schuler was drunk and had marijuana in her during that horrid Taconic Parkway crash that killed eight people. Hes suicidal, Dominic Barbara said of Schuler. I know this family wants justice. Had she lived she'd be in jail on second degree murder charges. Schuler's family has rallied around the woman blamed for killing eight people, including herself, her daughter, three nieces and three men in a head-on collision on the Taconic State Parkway July 26. "We are all coming together in faith," said the Rev. She drives 40 miles an hour.. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Her van was later spotted by several motorists driving erratically along Route 17 and I-87. The film follows Schuler's husband, Daniel, and her sister-in-law, Jay Schuler, who for two years have been trying to clear her name, insisting a medical emergency was to blame. Try again later. Michael Bastardi Jr. On July 26, 2009 Diane Schuler packed up the campsite, piled five children into her minivan and headed for home on Long Island after a weekend of camping, a drive that should have taken two hours from upstate, NY. But toxicology reports at the time revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 -- the equivalent of 10 drinks -- and considerable levels of THC from smoking marijuana. One story I read said that they had been going to this campground every summer weekend for the last three years, so the trip back home, while not short, was routine. Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2013. The whole story smells rotten. She warns that not all those who have upsets in life will end up like Schuler. Some of the other pictures of him looking tearful look a bit too orchestrated. For nearly two miles, Schuler was driving the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. A New York mother who lost all three of her children in a horrific wrong-way drunk . The rabid defense of a woman who chose to drive drunk and high with five little ones in her car, her shady husband who's trying to cover his own ass and make a little money on the side, Diane's brother Warren who likely knew she was stoned out of her mind and thought he'd save her from a DUI. "She was a phenomenal mom, she never let the kids out of her sight," he said. The Long Island mother who drove bombed out of her mind with a minivan full of kids triggering a head-on collision that killed 8 routinely bellied up to the bar and griped about her failing marriage and stressful job, a drinking buddy told The Post. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. "The problem is, it doesn't work for very long," Bursztajn said. Trip: Daniel described as 'excellent' weekend. Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. Several drivers flashed their lights and honked to get Schuler's attention. Diane's medical records chronicle a woman with pain issues and insomnia. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. The kids went to bed around 9:00 PM Saturday night while Daniel and Diane stayed up. ", It was Schuler herself who had appeared to have super-human powers. 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. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. It's too bad no one has written a detailed account of this accident which to this day remains somewhat of a mystery as to how and why it happened. Daniel Schuler has maintained a round-the-clock vigil at Bryans bedside since the crash. We would never knowingly allow our daughters to travel with someone who might jeopardize their safety. I would just be a zombie!! Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2016. On July 26, 2009, Diane Schuler, 36, was driving the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway in New York when her minivan slammed into an SUV, killing Diane, her young daughter, three nieces, and three passengers in the other vehicle. "I'm still numbed," said neighbor Joseph O'Donald, 79. She basically became a caretaker at the age of nine. These kids are in the valley of heaven.". But many are too embarrassed to admit psychic pain. "It looks like he's going to make it.". Schuler was responsi. Most likely. Blowing horns, flashing lights, and waving arms did nothing to deter her. Why wasnt he helping out? Diane was an accomplished working mother who balanced her responsibilities . Others in her life do not report seeing her drink alcohol to excess. Just like everyone else, this is news to us They were very friendly. Please reset your password. She didnt just wake up one morning with a drug problem and capable of drinking that much alcohol. Anolik spoke to reporters after a morning meeting with the Westchester County district attorney. Please try again. Diane Schuler The "Perfect Mom" Drove Her Van Full Of Kids Into A Head-On Collision For Unknown Reasons.