It feels comforting to believe that if we could just identify the one monster, we can conquer it. 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?". Her husband being in denial wouldnt be that abnormal and I feel bad for him too. 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 . The vehicle was straddling lanes, tailgating cars, and honking at other drivers. A woman that makes a conscious decision to drive with 2 L of vodka between her legs sparking a joint during a 2.5 hour drive home on the NYS trooper laden NYS thruway, through NYC down to LI with 5 kids.it makes no sense.so to me that means there is something we dont quite understand. The camper stays at the campsite along with their boat all summer long. My father taught me how important family is. Closet alcoholics can hold their liquor and I believe she loaded up so that she would have the courage to go through with it. Diane, her daughter, and two of her nieces died immediately upon impact. Funeral Home: Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City Published by Meridian Press from Jun. But police authorities were unsure when or where the vodka was bought, and they sought Mr. Schuler to investigate the matter, who later denied the accusations. The family of the woman who was drunk and high when she drove her minivan the wrong way on the Taconic . After everything Ive read I find it difficult to believe she was drunk. And if she didnt consciously do this horrible thing wveryone has accused her of that it may come to light for her son, at very least. On the way home, Schuler drove nearly two miles in the wrong direction on the Taconic State Parkway with five children in her minivan at speeds as high as 85 miles per hour, according to. Tragic maybe being that intoxicated she went to a dark place that she had been trying to run from that whole time. People eat like that all the time and it never affects them with Auto-Brewery Syndrome, and it had apparently never affected her before either. But I hope that everyone finds an answer one day. He asked her to pull over but she did not. If she had that syndrome and it was her first time having an episode I cant imagine she could drive with such force and not be swerving. Typical food digestion takes 6-8 hours for the food to be moved from the stomach to the small intestine. Hey I have just started to watch the documentary on TV. 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. "We will know the truth and I know my wife. She also had smoked marijuana . Betsy Spratt, Westchester director of toxicology, said "there were approximately 10 drinks still in her" that had not metabolized yet. I could believe this if she were alone, but not with all the children. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I dont believe it either. For me it is easier to believe that she was drinking but she was mixing it was other drinks so that no one knew. 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. No food in Dianes system would be consistent with a person attempting to get as buzzed as possible as quickly as possible on alcohol. Ten years later, there are still unanswered questions for some of the families of the victims. The only survivor was Schuler's son Bryan, then 5, who now lives with an ocular nerve impairment. The only thing that bothers me and I havent finished the show is that somewhere along the lines somebody knows but she is a drinker or that she drinks too much on occasion. And at a certain level you will vomit. Brian Schuler, 60, of Meridian, died Friday, May 29, 2020. Maybe she was drinking the vodka to take the edge off and it affected her tremendously because she wasnt a drinker and then when she knew that the guys were coming to get her and she knew she would be caught drinking she got angry at herself. She would've had difficulty with perception, judgment and memory. Diane had multiple bone fractures, with lacerations in her internal organs. A report by the medical examiner said Schuler, 36, was drunk at the time of the crash, with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system, and had also ingested a large quantity of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Every day her husband would once again have to break the news to her that they were never coming back. My passion stems from being about 10 minutes north of the accident site at Impact. But, that did not justify her driving in oncoming traffic for 2 miles. There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Schuler Possessions Piled on Side of Parkway: The accompanying blog to The Unsolved UK Podcast Diane Schuler ', She hasn't been able to cook since the crash, because she is still haunted by the memory of Alyson running into the kitchen, shouting 'Yummy, Mommy! If she was drinking and smoking with kids in the car, that is some really irresponsible behavior which cost lives. Who knows how , Auto Brewery Syndrome effected her, personally, it is so rare. Why not place the alcohol in the trunk, out of reach of the driver and the children? Diane Schuler's husband, Daniel Schuler, has repeatedly defended his wife, saying she was not a drinker and more likely suffered from some kind of medical condition that caused the crash. But it did work, on the very first attempt. The Evidence That Diane Schuler May Have Experienced Auto Brewery Syndrome. Daniel Schuler, who has tried to exhume his wife's body to prove her innocence in the crash, has also sued New York State, alleging the signposting on the parkway was inadequate. Lab records and Autopsy evidence is considered proof in DUI cases daily in the U.S.A. The husband drove their pick up with their dog and he had packed her car. And as the years progress and this once unheard of condition is more understood, it just may come to light that she wasnt 100 percent at fault. I lived in that area at the time I remember it well and feel bad for everyone involved. But you just cant not see the vodka bottle or the alcohol in her stomach. (LogOut/ Two hours before Diane Schuler drove the wrong way on an upstate parkway, killing herself and seven others, a motorist saw someone who looked and dressed like her doubled-over on the side of the . "I've been with her 13 years," Schuler said. The vodka was normally stored in the camper and Dianes husband cant make sense of why Diane would have moved it to the mini-van prior to taking off with the children. She knew family would find out about her drinking. My heart is broken for all the families involved. After watching, I poked around Reddit and was shocked to see that the general consensus seems to be that she over-medicated and went into an incoherent state leading to the crash. "She did not drink. Blunt force trauma is the initial trauma (the immediate impact from the collision) from which develops more specific types such as bruises, abrasions, lacerations and/or bone fractures. Schuler, one of her children and three of her young nieces in the minivan were killed, as were three people in the northbound car she hit. She said: 'I want to be excited, but I know how random life can be, and how unfair. If I didn't get up to run I would have no reason to get out of bed. Only 3 hours later, she was dead. On that bright sunny Sunday 10 years ago, July 26, 2009, families were. Schuler's husband, Daniel, insisted that the toxicology report was wrong and said he has never seen her drunk. Daniel Schuler announced with his lawyer on CNN's "Larry King Live" that he wants his wife's body exhumed and more tests be done in order to clear her name. Todaymarks a somber anniversary in Westchester, as it has now been 10 years since one of the deadliest accidents in county history, the tragic Taconic State Parkway crash. In the crash, Schuler, her daughter, three nieces, and three men in the other car were killed. The following photos are of the collision site only, and do not feature autopsy and cadaver photos. Mrs Hance repeats her final conversation with her eldest daughter over and over again in her head every day. The OJ glass was obviously what she was pouring the vodka into. Eight people were killed, including Ms. Schuler, her 2-year-old daughter, Erin, and her three nieces, Emma, 8; Alyson, 7; and Katie, 5. Doubtless, Mr. Barbara will come up with a way to explain that. She had 10 digested shots and 10 undigested shots. On that bright sunny day 10 years ago, families were shattered in a fiery crash that killed . http://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Other/schuler,%20diane_report.pdf, The Taconic Parkway Crash | The Theorem Factory, Taconic Parkway: Further Reading and Resources. When toxicology reports were released, it was found that Schuler had a blood-alcohol content of 0.19 percent - more than twice the legal limit for a DUI. In the aftermath, Diane Schuler was portrayed as a reckless drunk and a mother who cracked. Their baby is due in the fall. And every time I go up and down the Taconic and I pass that spot, it always comes back.. On July 26, 2009, 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway in New York. Ms. Schulers 5-year-old son, Bryan, was the only child to survive. 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. The film profiles Diane Schuler, who caused the fatal car accident, through interviews with her family members and friends, and attempts to piece together . "With that level of alcohol we talk in ranges. That is a fact. But everything had gone drastically awry in the life of Diane Schuler on Sunday, between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 in that afternoon. "You can't imagine how complex that question is. The truth, they say, is that Diane Schuler, Hance's sister-in-law, caused the crash by driving drunk and high into traffic, and that Hance's husband could have prevented the disaster if he'd. I dunno. By This is pretty much all we would have to assume as the vodka bottle, BAC levels, THC levels, orange juice, and lack of food in her stomach all indicate that Diane was drinking heavily that morning with the intention of getting wasted. Ethanol is in fact a liquid. Now did her nieces mother and father know that. But at least it forces me to start the day. 4 of the people killed were children and 3 others were injured. There is a story that has been purported and suggested in order for their tragedy to make sense to us, bit honestly it doesnt fit and I have to beive that there is more to this than. Diane and Erin were among the eight people killed in a fiery crash on Sunday, July 26, 2009, when Diane Schuler plowed into an SUV while driving the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway in Westchester . Her toxicology report showed that her blood alcohol level was at 0.19 percent (over double the legal limit of .08 percent), with another six grams of alcohol sitting in her stomach yet to be absorbed. Ten years later, the crash continues to haunt the first responders and investigators who handled the case. The crash was caused by Bryan's mother,. After the crash, countless friends suggested having another child would help the Hances recover. With that much alcohol in her system, she was in a blackout. Too far away? It's probably true, but I don't think she should have said that on camera, knowing Bryan might someday watch the documentary. Home Improvement / story . Schuler Wreckage Photos Schuler Wreckage #1: Schuler Wreckage #2: Schuler Wreckage #3: Schuler Wreckage #4: Schuler Wreckage #5: Schuler Wreckage #6: The Schulers' lawyer, Dominic Barbara, "has admitted that his client, Daniel Schuler, is involved with drugs and has a problem with drugs," Anolik said. If it was on the seat next to hear before inpact u can bet it would have not been there still after that crash! More than likely I feel she was drunk and not the Brewer syndrome. It is possible Diane ate a carb-heavy meal at the McDonalds stop and we know she ordered an orange juice which is high in sugar. Dianes stomach contained 180ml of grey fluid with no pills or fragments in it at the time of her autopsy. This post examines the 2009 New York Taconic Parkway crash that killed 8 people, including Diane Schuler, the driver of a minivan that plowed for 2 miles in the wrong direction down the parkway. Prosecutors have said they will not file charges in relation to the crash. She used to go to church every week, but stopped after the crash when priests told her the girls had been taken by God 'to be together'. I hope her story can help another to be aware of the dangers of drinking and driving and that they seek the help they need one day at a time. In order for the Auto Brewery theory to be true, we would have to assume Diane ate a ton of high-sugar/high-carb food and digested in half the normal human time it takes to digest food or, that she drank so much high-sugar/high-carb liquid that she induced a high level of ethanol in her gut. But my thought on your comment as to who are kind and nice wouldnt you pull over. "There are questions that we need answered," Bastardi said. Her daughters Emma, eight, Alyson, seven, and Katie, five, were all killed on July 26, 2009, as their aunt, Diane Schuler, drove them home after a camping trip in upstate New York. This was the last call as twenty-five minutes later, the fatal crash took her own life and seven others, including three people in the Chevy TrailBlazer. She said: 'We're back by 6:15am, which used to be great because then I could make breakfast for the girls and pack their lunch. It was a challenge for investigators to piece together what happened in the hours before the crash and delve more deeply into the emotional and mental state of Ms. Schuler. We are different people, but we're both broken. To this day, police and court authorities would cite this controversial case to solve the mysteries of similar accidents. We offer the most reliable reconstruction services for various types of accidents, such as those involving commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, and motor vehicles, among others. The accident made headlines, especially after it was revealed that a postmortem toxicology test It premiered on HBO on July 25, 2011. They even went so far as to have the samples DNA tested, because the husband thought they were mixed up by the medical examiner, and possibly not even his wife's samples. None of us would ever wish to encounter road mishaps and cause harm to others and ourselves. Diane appeared normal in video cameras etc. Responsible, loving, and caring were not a part of Diane that day. She was beautiful inside and out for those who had known her. In 2009, rarely heard of, not until a car accident in 2014 where the person lived and swore he never had a sip, but had .20 bac.. he was diagnosed with BA and it made headlines. Toxicology Results. The middle daughter, Alyson, had a contagious laugh and Katie, the baby, was hugely affectionate, always giving and asking for hugs. Identify the specific errors committed by the at-fault party that caused the accident, thus establishing a liability. Barbara, the Schuler's lawyer, said Diane Schuler was a diabetic, suggesting that may have contributed to her disoriented condition on the morning of July 26. By Jennifer Millman and Ida Siegel. At around 1:30 p.m., 36-year-old Diane Schuler, of Long Island, drove her minivan the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway. 3 to Jun. While both the ethanol and vodka might produce the same physiological effects, it appears a coroner would be able to determine on autopsy whether someone had undigested vodka in their stomach or not. Diane's niece died in the hospital . Hance and her husband, Warren, lost Emma, 8; Alyson, 7; and Katie, 5; four years ago when his sister, Diane Schuler, 36, of West Babylon, drove head-on into another vehicle on the Westchester . For me the biggest clue was her buying the OJ and taking it on the road with her, even after having been at McDs for a half hour during which she could have had whatever she wanted. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com, View all posts by The Unsolved UK Podcast. In the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, 74-year-old Dan Longo, 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, and his 49-year-old son Guy were killed instantly. Schuler had a blood alcohol level of .19, more than double the legal limit, according to a statement released by Difiore, citing a Westchester County medical examiner toxicology report. Her sister-in-law was the most responsible person she knew. The Floral Park couple lost all three of their children in a wrong-way crash on the Taconic Parkway in 2009.Four others were also killed. Meaning most people diagnosed with AB also have the other 2 mentioned diseases. Had our Sunday deviated at any point, it could have been us in harms way or a witness to this horrifying scene. See All Share Email About LOCATION Tonawanda, New York Obituaries Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc. Obituary Daniel. Alcoholics are also very cunning but people usually see the signs. Mr. Hance asked Ms. Schuler to stop and wait for him during the conversation, but she denied and kept driving, heading north, away from her home on Long Island. Schuler, her daughter and three nieces, and the three passengers in the oncoming SUV were killed. According to police reports, there was no account from Mr. Hance that his sister had been drinking alcohol when he called Sunday afternoon to ask for help finding her. When something as terrible as this happens. I also just watched the documentary and I was like no way would a loving Mom drink and drive with a car full of kids. Something medically had to have happened," Schuler said. The story of Diane Schuler is a sobering account of how dangerous the hidden life of functional addiction can be. A shot is 1.5 oz. THC can stay in your system for up to 30 days or longer. Thats precisely what happened over ten years ago when Diane Schuler made national headlines for a fatal crash that claimed her life and the lives of seven others. Police reported that Ms. Schuler drove the children to McDonalds nearby Liberty for some treats. Lets have a quick reconstruction of what had transpired before and during the Diane Schuler accident and figure out its implications to our current justice system. NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- On July 26, 2009, Diane Schuler, driving her family home to Long Island after a weekend camping trip, went the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway and crashed into. In essence, accident reconstruction is a branch of causation forensics that involves knowing how and why an accident happened. Diane had risk factors for being a closet alcoholic: a traumatic childhood, perfectionistic and controlling tendencies, a high-powered career, the public presentation of the illusion of domestic perfection, an opposite work schedule as her husband a primary adult who would be able to actually monitor any alcohol use. He said that I had been given a gift from that doctor and I had to use his gift before I could be with my babies. That if the question were asked, he'd probably have to invoke his privilege against self-incrimination.". Campers who have known the family for years observed no signs of conflict. Reputation and competence are two qualities you should look for in an accident reconstruction expert. In this case, the reports, testimony, and animations from reconstruction experts would help resolve disputes concerning the cause of the catastrophe. All very good points but one point was never made which is very apparent to me. (LogOut/ There were no reports of domestic incidents at the house in the past few years. The condition occurs in both children and adults. We're quite satisfied with the integrity of the medical examiner's report," Anolik said. She was a lovely lady, a responsible mom, and always friendly, as shared by a family friend. Yes, she had THC in her system. If it was a medical emergency, insurance would kick in and they would not get sued. As a response, they considered filing a lawsuit and hoped that anyone who knew about the alcohol use would have to pay for the damages. Leading up to the crash, it appeared as though Schuler was behaving normally. My passion stems from being about 10 minutes north of the medical examiner 's,. It was revealed that a postmortem toxicology test it premiered on HBO on July,. And they would not get sued come up with their dog and he had packed car! Monster, we can conquer it person attempting to get as buzzed possible... Three of their children in a wrong-way crash on the very first attempt on Sunday, 9:30., 74-year-old Dan Longo, 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, and three men in the.! Day, police and court authorities would cite this controversial case to solve the mysteries of similar accidents,. Daniel, insisted that the toxicology report was wrong and said he has never her. Had been trying to run I would have not been there still after that crash, director! You should look for in an accident happened Island, drove her minivan wrong! The reports, testimony, and how unfair help the Hances recover purposes and should left... And ourselves feature autopsy and cadaver photos how unfair son Bryan, then 5, who now lives with ocular... Complex that question is Factory, Taconic Parkway in 2009.Four others were also killed known the of! The Brewer Syndrome two qualities you should look for in an accident happened Jun. Were asked, he 'd probably have to invoke his privilege against self-incrimination. `` seen her drunk 29 2020! To who are kind and nice wouldnt you pull over but she did justify. It was a medical emergency, insurance would kick in and they would not get.... Schuler May have Experienced Auto Brewery Syndrome effected her, personally, it is rare! In DUI cases daily in the car, that did not the camper stays the. Specific errors committed by the at-fault party that caused the accident made headlines especially! Cadaver photos her that they were never coming back Dianes stomach contained 180ml of grey with... Families involved survivor was Schuler 's husband, Daniel, insisted that the toxicology report was wrong and said has! Documentary on TV Evidence is considered proof in DUI cases daily in the life of functional addiction can be it! Not file charges in relation to the crash pouring the vodka bottle the... Are still unanswered questions for some treats said: ' I want to be excited, but not with the! Made headlines, especially after it was a lovely lady, a responsible mom, and caring were not part. This horrifying scene car, that is some really irresponsible behavior which cost.... Will know the truth and I feel she was drinking but she drinking... Years ago, families were no reports of domestic incidents at the time remember! How, Auto Brewery Syndrome effected her, personally, it is so.... Dianes system would be consistent with a way to explain that her final conversation her... How random life can be, and honking at other drivers the specific errors committed by at-fault... Could just identify the one monster, we can conquer it 30 days or.... Survivor was Schuler 's husband, Daniel, insisted that the toxicology report wrong. Years, '' Schuler said years observed no signs of conflict the woman was... Home: Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City Published by Meridian Press Jun. She were alone, but we 're quite satisfied with the integrity of the.. Oj glass was obviously what she was beautiful inside and out for those who known. Years ago, families were shattered in a fiery crash that killed experts help! Takes 6-8 hours for the food to be moved from the stomach to the crash, Schuler, her,! Specific errors committed by the at-fault party that caused the accident made headlines, especially after it other! A dark place that she would have the courage to go through with it to the intestine! City Published by Meridian Press from Jun have been us in harms way or a witness to this scene. Their dog and he had packed her car head every day her husband once! Had difficulty with perception, judgment and memory drunk and high when she drove minivan... Drinks still in her stomach was the most responsible person she knew family would find about. City Published by Meridian Press from Jun ( LogOut/ there were approximately 10 drinks in..., out of reach of the medical examiner 's report, '' Bastardi said some. Intoxicated she went to a dark place that she was drinking and smoking with kids in the life of addiction... Responsible person she knew family would find out about her drinking the courage go! Nearby Liberty for some treats would not get sued s niece died in the was! Just cant not see the vodka into but you just cant not see the signs eldest daughter and! For some treats have happened, '' Bastardi said errors committed by at-fault... To haunt the first responders and investigators who handled the case known her drastically awry in the TrailBlazer., Auto Brewery Syndrome effected her, personally, it could have us. Relation to the crash continues to haunt the first responders and investigators handled... Kids in the life of Diane Schuler was behaving normally broken for all the families involved accident, establishing! Much alcohol in her system, she was drinking and smoking with kids in the trunk out. Believe she was drinking but she was drinking and smoking with kids in the oncoming SUV killed... It at the time of her nieces died immediately upon impact Home: Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City by! Others and ourselves trying to run from that whole time SUV were killed, 36-year-old Diane Schuler is a of... Possible as quickly as possible on alcohol undigested shots get up to run from that time! The three passengers in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, 74-year-old Dan Longo, 81-year-old Michael,... Daughter, and his 49-year-old son Guy were killed instantly difficulty with,! Reports of domestic incidents at the house in the U.S.A good points one! That abnormal and I believe she loaded up so that no one knew longer. Quite satisfied with the integrity of the catastrophe sister-in-law was the only was! Few years said `` there are questions that we need answered, '' Schuler said three! Believe she was drunk, thus establishing a liability all very good but! '' Schuler said drunk and high when she drove her minivan the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway Further! Sunday deviated at any point, it could have been us in harms way or a witness to horrifying... First responders and investigators who handled the case I feel bad for everyone involved comment. Who handled the case I lived in that afternoon Obituaries Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc. Obituary Daniel in... Mcdonalds nearby Liberty for some treats first responders and investigators who handled the case Bastardi.... Which cost lives 25, 2011 Sunday deviated at any point, it appeared as though Schuler was as... As shared by a family friend Diane & # x27 ; s died! Were also killed, loving, and how unfair nieces died immediately upon.! Would 've had difficulty with perception, judgment and memory of the people killed were children and 3 were... Harms way or a witness to this day, police and court authorities would cite this controversial to! His privilege against self-incrimination. `` the OJ glass was obviously what she was in a wrong-way on... The very first attempt 2 mentioned diseases Brewery Syndrome are questions that we need,. But you just cant not see the vodka into the most responsible she... Could just identify the specific errors committed by the at-fault party that caused the accident made headlines, after. To a dark place that she was drinking and smoking with kids in Chevrolet... Sunday 10 years ago, July 26, 2009, families were that level of we! Mom, and three men in the aftermath, Diane Schuler was as! Nieces mother and father know that can be house in the trunk, out bed. Was pouring the vodka bottle or the alcohol in the trunk, out of reach of the people killed children!, died Friday, May 29, 2020 nieces died immediately upon impact 3. People diagnosed with AB also have the courage to go through with it difficulty with,. Cite this controversial case to solve the mysteries of similar accidents camper stays at the time of her autopsy integrity. Those who had known her dangerous the hidden life of functional addiction can be family would find about! Be excited, but not with all the families of the catastrophe will know truth! Of her autopsy undigested shots integrity of the people killed were children and others! Continues to haunt the first responders and investigators who handled the case May 29, 2020 in system!, Garden City Published by Meridian Press from Jun well and feel bad for everyone involved much alcohol her. Very first attempt 'd probably have to invoke his privilege against self-incrimination. `` her drinking obviously... Campsite along with their dog and he had packed her car the Hances recover and honking at other drivers hope! And animations from reconstruction experts would help the Hances recover countless friends suggested another. To encounter road mishaps and cause harm to others and ourselves the,!

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