8 Die in Crash on Taconic State Parkway #2

[RSorensen]

I think way too much is being made out of who lied or did not lie.

I give up. If anyone will read the posts, I was not saying anyone lied or didn't lie. I frankly don't care at this point. All I was saying is that it is not true that the investigator did not have reason to lie, not that he did or didn't. Enough already. Let's all agree to be confused.

I do agree with you that there has been no proof whatsoever Diane was an alcoholic or drank all the time. The argument that she would have to have been a long time heavy drinker to be able to drive 1.5 miles straight down a highway is pretty weak. There is no medical proof that someone must be an experienced drinker in order to function at a particular level under the influence of alcohol. But, when you think about it, she really didn't function all that well anyway, did she?

 

[OrdinaryLife]

I give up. If anyone will read the posts, I was not saying anyone lied or didn't lie. I frankly don't care at this point. All I was saying is that it is not true that the investigator did not have reason to lie, not that he did or didn't. Enough already. Let's all agree to be confused.

I do agree with you that there has been no proof whatsoever Diane was an alcoholic or drank all the time. The argument that she would have to have been a long time heavy drinker to be able to drive 1.5 miles straight down a highway is pretty weak. There is no medical proof that someone must be an experienced drinker in order to function at a particular level under the influence of alcohol. But, when you think about it, she really didn't function all that well anyway, did she?

RSorensen, I was just making a general post and not directed to *anyone* personally. Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar, know what I'm saying?

I do not believe we will ever know what was going on within Diane personally. I think this is one of those tragic cases where all lose. Make some kind of deal that works for the best of all (one can dream) and move on with real grieving and finding life at ones own pace.

imvho

 

[Deleted member 39678]

I believe it was pretty clear from the context of my post that i did not believe they would lie against their own interests. Yes, there are plenty of OTHER motivations to lie, but not against interest.:banghead:

I'm not sure if I get your point.Are you saying someone on this thread is saying that someone connected to this case is lying against their own interests?I read though these posts twice and I must be misunderstanding something.Thanks.

 

[nomoresorrow]

(Bold/Red By Me)

For the sake of discussion, perhaps there was no intentional lie, but perhaps not aware that the bottle was packed until found at scene. I think way too much is being made out of who lied or did not lie. It was packed and in the car. That's the bottom line.

This is not the crux of the issue, but more about did Diane have a drinking problem. Everything, so far, is nothing more than speculation. I get the autopsy results, but it does not prove the woman had a drinking issue (as a whole), but did have toxicology result for that morning.

Frankly, packing liquor to travel back and forth to a camp and home is no big deal. I use to do it (still do after visiting), as many others do, all the time. I also had my children in the car. It is not unusual as some may think. Weak arguement as far as I'm concerned. If I was on a jury, I'd need more than this that I've read.

imvho

I simply do not understand this type of rational. Any person who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and makes a decision to drink with 5 children in the car with them - a trip that should have only taken a little over 2 1/2 hours, only 2 1/2 hours in which Diane could have gotten the kids all home safely and drank in the privacy of her home without putting anyone in danger - SHE HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM. The toxicology report speaks for itself.

 

[nosysw]

My point was just that the story of bringing it back and forth didn't ring true to me. As I said, I have also brought liquor on a trip and back (in the trunk) but that is different than having a trailer somewhere which is like a weekend place...(which I did years ago)...Then I would just have a bottle in each place...just easier and as some have mentioned better than transporting an open bottle.

Maybe they did bring it back and forth...I tend to think, if that is the case, that it is because she may have had a couple swigs while driving...also, if he wasn't a vodka drinker she could refill at her leisure to disguise her drinking habits...he may have known she took it back and forth but if he didn't think she was a drinker it may not have occurred to him why she did so...in fact, I doubt he ever gave much thought to her motivation about anything...all MOO...

 

[nomoresorrow]

While I don't claim to know what Daniel Schuler did/didn't know about Diane's drinking habits, my gut tells me he knew alot more than he's letting on. I think it's safe to say we've all heard, at some point or another, someone refer to someone's drinking by saying, "He/She is a nasty drunk." I've also heard the opposite said..."He/She is alot easier to be around when they've had a few." Did Daniel Schuler feel that way? Who knows, but I personally don't think that this is the first time Diane Schuler drove high/drunk - I think it's the first time it turned tragic. I have a dear friend who is in AA/12-step program (8 years sober now) and she didn't sober up until she drove her car into a ledge. While she didn't sustain any serious injuries, she did get a DUI and a huge wakeup call. Was that the first time she drove drunk? She'll tell you, "HELL NO!" It was just the first time she didn't get "away" with it.
JMO

 

[nosysw]

While I don't claim to know what Daniel Schuler did/didn't know about Diane's drinking habits, my gut tells me he knew alot more than he's letting on. I think it's safe to say we've all heard, at some point or another, someone refer to someone's drinking by saying, "He/She is a nasty drunk." I've also heard the opposite said..."He/She is alot easier to be around when they've had a few." Did Daniel Schuler feel that way? Who knows, but I personally don't think that this is the first time Diane Schuler drove high/drunk - I think it's the first time it turned tragic. I have a dear friend who is in AA/12-step program (8 years sober now) and she didn't sober up until she drove her car into a ledge. While she didn't sustain any serious injuries, she did get a DUI and a huge wakeup call. Was that the first time she drove drunk? She'll tell you, "HELL NO!" It was just the first time she didn't get "away" with it.
JMO

Above BBM...

I think you have something here. Many posters have said she was too much of a control freak to get "out of control" through drinking. I feel the opposite way- sometimes the only way a control freak can relax at all is to be under the influence of something. And they so rarely allow themself to relax that when they do, they often go all the way because it feels so good they want to prolong it. JME...

 

[nomoresorrow]

Above BBM...

I think you have something here. Many posters have said she was too much of a control freak to get "out of control" through drinking. I feel the opposite way- sometimes the only way a control freak can relax at all is to be under the influence of something. And they so rarely allow themself to relax that when they do, they often go all the way because it feels so good they want to prolong it. JME...

Agree nosysw, and the danger that too often goes unnoticed with people who need to control everything and, by all appearances do so quite well, they (and sadly those around them) also think that they can control their alcohol use just as well. I truly hope that these lawsuits, if anything, bring out the truth so that everyone involved can begin to find a way to heal. I really think it's the denial that makes people crazy. I get that Daniel Schuler doesn't want his son to know/remember his Mommy as a drunk-driver who took 7 precious lifes, her own, and nearly his, but this child cannot grow into a healthy young man surrounded by lies/denial. That little boy knows the truth, he lived through it. He was in that vehicle for that terrifying 4-hour ride with his mother. It really breaks my heart...sorry.

 

[OrdinaryLife]

(Bold/Red By Me)



I simply do not understand this type of rational. Any person who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and makes a decision to drink with 5 children in the car with them - a trip that should have only taken a little over 2 1/2 hours, only 2 1/2 hours in which Diane could have gotten the kids all home safely and drank in the privacy of her home without putting anyone in danger - SHE HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM. The toxicology report speaks for itself.

You don't have to agree. Diane may have a problem, but we do not know that. Hence, verbal speculation. I do not, on any level, argue her autopsy results. What she chose to do that day was wrong, wrong, wrong...

imvho

 

[Nova]

For the sake of discussion, perhaps there was no intentional lie, but perhaps not aware that the bottle was packed until found at scene. I think way too much is being made out of who lied or did not lie. It was packed and in the car. That's the bottom line.

This is not the crux of the issue, but more about did Diane have a drinking problem. Everything, so far, is nothing more than speculation. I get the autopsy results, but it does not prove the woman had a drinking issue (as a whole), but did have toxicology result for that morning.

Frankly, packing liquor to travel back and forth to a camp and home is no big deal. I use to do it (still do after visiting), as many others do, all the time. I also had my children in the car. It is not unusual as some may think. Weak arguement as far as I'm concerned. If I was on a jury, I'd need more than this that I've read.

imvho

BBM: exactly. We analyze every remark extensively here (and I do mean *WE* as I do it, too), but the fact is people make careless statements all the time.

 

[RSorensen]

(Bold/Red By Me)



I simply do not understand this type of rational. Any person who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and makes a decision to drink with 5 children in the car with them - a trip that should have only taken a little over 2 1/2 hours, only 2 1/2 hours in which Diane could have gotten the kids all home safely and drank in the privacy of her home without putting anyone in danger - SHE HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM. The toxicology report speaks for itself.

Let's be fair: OrdinaryLife was clearly saying that there is no proof that Diane was a regular heavy drinker - just that she drank to excess that day. And, there really is no such proof. It might be true; it might not. It is possible that she probably drank like most people...in moderation from time to time and over the top once in a while. As long as you are not behind the wheel, there is no problem with that. Myself? I think she might have been more of an inexperienced drinker and that whatever was bothering her that day sent her to the bottle which she didn't know how to handle.

She did something terrible that has caused incredible pain to several families, and I would love to have an answer that could make me totally blame her, but I can't. It is easy to hate; to look at the results of what she did and label her a monster because it's just easier. It is less easy to understand what might have happened to turn a seemingly good mother, friend, employee, etc into a mass killer. I doubt she woke up that day thinking "this would be a good day to kill myself and take a bunch of kids, my own included, with me." We would love to have proof, but I can guarantee you we won't get it.

 

[nomoresorrow]

Let's be fair: OrdinaryLife was clearly saying that there is no proof that Diane was a regular heavy drinker - just that she drank to excess that day. And, there really is no such proof. It might be true; it might not. It is possible that she probably drank like most people...in moderation from time to time and over the top once in a while. As long as you are not behind the wheel, there is no problem with that. Myself? I think she might have been more of an inexperienced drinker and that whatever was bothering her that day sent her to the bottle which she didn't know how to handle.

She did something terrible that has caused incredible pain to several families, and I would love to have an answer that could make me totally blame her, but I can't. It is easy to hate; to look at the results of what she did and label her a monster because it's just easier. It is less easy to understand what might have happened to turn a seemingly good mother, friend, employee, etc into a mass killer. I doubt she woke up that day thinking "this would be a good day to kill myself and take a bunch of kids, my own included, with me." We would love to have proof, but I can guarantee you we won't get it.

While I respect your (and everyone's) opinion, I really don't care if Diane found out that weekend/morning that Daniel was having 20 affairs with 20 different women, there is absolutely no good reason that excuses Diane from choosing to drink behind the wheel of that car! Your welcome to your view but I do not for one moment think that this was the first time Diane turned to the bottle...JMO

 

[OrdinaryLife]

While I respect your (and everyone's) opinion, I really don't care if Diane found out that weekend/morning that Daniel was having 20 affairs with 20 different women, there is absolutely no good reason that excuses Diane from choosing to drink behind the wheel of that car! Your welcome to your view but I do not for one moment think that this was the first time Diane turned to the bottle...JMO

Good people do extremely stupid/selfish things. What Diane did was just that. Stupid and selfish beyond our reasoning. Did she "numb" herself? Well, that was made clear in toxocology results. Do I believe it was a habit given true facts, no. I truly believe the woman snapped and didn't care anymore. She gave up and took other lives with her. Do I think she is anywhere near faultless, absolutely not. But, I do believe there is more than we will ever, ever know. I don't think her own husband knew what she was trying to cope with as she was in charge/control of all within their lives/family.

I will not try and pretend she was a victim, but I honestly believe she lost it. As far as alcoholics go, I have vast experience in that (sadly) and her behaviour does not fit. I think she was inexperienced drinker and numbed herself to committ a suicide. Others included.

imvho

 

[LadyL]

does anyone else think it's possible that many people knew or suspected she was drinking (and smoking pot) & chose to ignore the peril to the children's (& others) lives and now are all scrambling to avoid being held liable, in addition to feeling incredible guilt?

I think that even if she was a closet drinker, people around her would know ...

I wonder if we'll ever hear from any of her co-workers 'cause they would also have known or suspected IMO

 

[RSorensen]

there is absolutely no good reason that excuses Diane from choosing to drink behind the wheel of that car! ..JMO

I don't think anyone on this string of comments has suggested, or is suggesting, that there was a good reason. Just a reason. Also, no one has come close to suggesting that she be excused. My God, even psychologists try to understand the motives and reasoning behind the actions of someone like Charles Manson! Have we come to a point where we have no interest in learning why people do things? Maybe we can learn something by trying to understand rather than being content in just condemning. Just because some of us think we might learn something from trying to understand this person's actions doesn't mean we are taking up a collection for a monument in her honor.

 

[OneLostGrl]

does anyone else think it's possible that many people knew or suspected she was drinking (and smoking pot) & chose to ignore the peril to the children's (& others) lives and now are all scrambling to avoid being held liable, in addition to feeling incredible guilt?

I think that even if she was a closet drinker, people around her would know ...

I wonder if we'll ever hear from any of her co-workers 'cause they would also have known or suspected IMO

They had one of her co-workers on the documentary.. she agreed with what everyone else who knew her has been saying about her.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I don't think anyone on this string of comments has suggested, or is suggesting, that there was a good reason. Just a reason. Also, no one has come close to suggesting that she be excused. My God, even psychologists try to understand the motives and reasoning behind the actions of someone like Charles Manson! Have we come to a point where we have no interest in learning why people do things? Maybe we can learn something by trying to understand rather than being content in just condemning. Just because some of us think we might learn something from trying to understand this person's actions doesn't mean we are taking up a collection for a monument in her honor.

We live in a "lock 'em up and throw away the key" society..

 

[twinkiesmom]

(Bold/Red By Me)



I simply do not understand this type of rational. Any person who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and makes a decision to drink with 5 children in the car with them - a trip that should have only taken a little over 2 1/2 hours, only 2 1/2 hours in which Diane could have gotten the kids all home safely and drank in the privacy of her home without putting anyone in danger - SHE HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM. The toxicology report speaks for itself.

I agree with you, and I think her pot dependence was out of hand as well. This was someone who self medicated.

 

[twinkiesmom]

does anyone else think it's possible that many people knew or suspected she was drinking (and smoking pot) & chose to ignore the peril to the children's (& others) lives and now are all scrambling to avoid being held liable, in addition to feeling incredible guilt?

I think that even if she was a closet drinker, people around her would know ...

I wonder if we'll ever hear from any of her co-workers 'cause they would also have known or suspected IMO

There's this one:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/region...L;jsessionid=6147319176B8975F2FF9F6BEC3A6B2CE

 

[nomoresorrow]

I don't think anyone on this string of comments has suggested, or is suggesting, that there was a good reason. Just a reason. Also, no one has come close to suggesting that she be excused. My God, even psychologists try to understand the motives and reasoning behind the actions of someone like Charles Manson! Have we come to a point where we have no interest in learning why people do things? Maybe we can learn something by trying to understand rather than being content in just condemning. Just because some of us think we might learn something from trying to understand this person's actions doesn't mean we are taking up a collection for a monument in her honor.

You're absolutely right and I apologize to all for making that implication. Obviously there's some part of me that wants/needs a deeper understanding into what was going on inside of Diane Schuler leading up to this tragic day - if not, I suppose I'd be satisfied to simply say "it is what it is" and walk away. Unfortunately my anger creeps up...I apologize.