8 Die in Crash on Taconic State Parkway #2

[GutInstinct]

IMO, Daniel is trying to resolve/absolve his own guilt. Have no idea what for. But his actions speak volumes about the pain of carrying Guilt and regret (again I don't know about what)around.


'BTW, I would also like to say that I don't think anyone here is accusing Dan. Dan wasn't driving the Van. Therefore, Dan did not do it.

 

[Nova]

I didn't say they were both to blame for the accident or that they were collectively to blame. You're again putting words in my mouth. What I believe is that the families were first victimized by Diane and then further victimized by Dan. I didn't equate the level of victimization...Words do hurt but not as much as several thousand pounds of car.

tm, I accepted your explanation the first time. That's what I meant by "fair enough." In fact, I never actually thought you were equating the two.

But by lumping them together with the phrase, "Dan and Diane both victimized..." you give that impression, like it or not.

If Dan is victimizing the Bastardis by merely asking that the coroner's verdict be confirmed, then what are you doing with your remarks about Dan here?

 

[Nova]

IMO, Daniel is trying to resolve/absolve his own guilt. Have no idea what for. But his actions speak volumes about the pain of carrying Guilt and regret (again I don't know about what)around.


'BTW, I would also like to say that I don't think anyone here is accusing Dan. Dan wasn't driving the Van. Therefore, Dan did not do it.

I would certain feel guilty if I were Dan and not because I think he literally got Diane liquored up. If it were I, I'd be thinking I should have seen the signs, known she shouldn't be driving that morning, etc.

It may well be that Dan is trying to assuage his own guilt by looking for an unavoidable proximate cause that triggered Diane's drinking. If so, that's merely human.

 

[twinkiesmom]

tm, I accepted your explanation the first time. That's what I meant by "fair enough." In fact, I never actually thought you were equating the two.

But by lumping them together with the phrase, "Dan and Diane both victimized..." you give that impression, like it or not.

If Dan is victimizing the Bastardis by merely asking that the coroner's verdict be confirmed, then what are you doing with your remarks about Dan here?

Stop putting words in my mouth. I never said it was just the coroner's verdict. Try the press conference and Larry King and the documentary and the ridiculous lawsuits. The sum total together of his public appearances attempt to negate the actions of a drugged and drunken driver at the expense of the innocent people in the other car and the multiple innocents in her own car.

You don't get to determine the "correct" feelings about Dan for the rest of us. Team Bryan and Jay here.

I also wonder whether Barbera really is holding the life insurance money or is conveniently sitting on it...does anyone know if the money being missing makes it judgement proof?

 

[twinkiesmom]

But why? Dan hasn't killed anyone and whatever may or may not have transpired between him and Diane prior to the accident is pure speculation.

All of the survivors have pending lawsuits; for whatever reason. And all of them lost loved ones that day. Couldn't it be argued that they are all perpetuating one another's pain?

Truly, I don't understand.

This was not an accident. That's why.

 

[rpd113]

All of the survivors have pending lawsuits; for whatever reason. And all of them lost loved ones that day. Couldn't it be argued that they are all perpetuating one another's pain?

Civil lawsuits were to be expected. But Danny's the one who made it public.

 

[voxrock2000]

Schuler's lawsuit is just meant to muddy everything up so he doesn't loose his house imo. I am sure there are implications for him with Diane's life insurance as it relates to DUI and other factors, all the claims by others will be against her estate, he is simply making claims against her estate to get a stake in it. Unless he maintains errors with the toxicology and the longer he has a claim in to exhume the body to look for medical causes it is probably in limbo. Apparently, the $100,000 life insurance policy she had was already paid and was in an escrow account which Barbera milked dry. I am surprised he didn't sue that criminal too. He apparently stole all the money through billing fraud with Tom Ruskin's company. That aside, I would not be surprised if the insurance company does not also have a claim in there to recover money, espiecially if there is any evidence of her doing it intentionally. I am surprised they paid it at all after the toxicology report came out. Danny has nothing, it is all tied up in her estate.

 

[southcitymom]

Oops! Perhaps I've overshared on this topic. :blushing:

That is not at all what I meant to imply!:blowkiss:

 

[sharkeyes]

I originally thought that Warren's daughter Emma would have told (more accurately "must" have told) him that Diane was drinking when she called her dad to tell him there's SWWAD. But then, in listening to the eulogy Warren Hance gives where he includes Diane (he states something like "my sister was a caring aunt"..words to that effect, he speaks well of her), I'm starting to think otherwise.

Anyway, five days later the toxicology report comes in and her BAL is made public etc. So, I'm concluding that Warren had no idea Diane was intoxicated - he knew something was wrong with her, that she was distraught/angry etc., and maybe even thought "she sounds drunk" but if he had known for sure that her confusion was due to alcohol, I do not think he would have praised her in the eulogy and probably would have said nothing about her. I believe the Hance's distanced themselves after the tox report came out.

For some reason I pictured Diane openly drinking out of that Absolute bottle in front of those poor kids:doh:...she must have poured the vodka into a cup (from McD's with the oj?) Otherwise, Emma would have said something to her dad, and subsequently I do not think Warren would have spoken well of her at the service.

BUT....I could be wrong.

So, while I still think Daniel knows the reason for Diane's meltdown, I don't think the Hance's knew until that day - I do think Diane said something to Warren, albeit in a drunken ramble, which probably didn't make sense until after the fact.

It makes no difference now, but I had to get that out. As always, I'm interested in any and all feedback, thoughts, and theories.

 

[Nova]

Stop putting words in my mouth. I never said it was just the coroner's verdict. Try the press conference and Larry King and the documentary and the ridiculous lawsuits. The sum total together of his public appearances attempt to negate the actions of a drugged and drunken driver at the expense of the innocent people in the other car and the multiple innocents in her own car.

You don't get to determine the "correct" feelings about Dan for the rest of us. Team Bryan and Jay here.

I also wonder whether Barbera really is holding the life insurance money or is conveniently sitting on it...does anyone know if the money being missing makes it judgement proof?

If the money is missing it may be harder to collect, but it certainly wouldn't stop a court from awarding the funds to someone else. They in term would have to track the money down.

At no time did I "put words in your mouth." I said a phrase you used is misleading at best, unfair at worst. And that is my opinion. But I didn't misquote you and I fully accepted your explanation as to what you meant.

I've never set myself up at the final arbiter of anyone's feelings. But I'm entitled to my opinion that some reactions here are based in emotions rather than reason.

 

[Nova]

Civil lawsuits were to be expected. But Danny's the one who made it public.

All civil lawsuits are public record. What are you talking about?

 

[Nova]

Schuler's lawsuit is just meant to muddy everything up so he doesn't loose his house imo. I am sure there are implications for him with Diane's life insurance as it relates to DUI and other factors, all the claims by others will be against her estate, he is simply making claims against her estate to get a stake in it. Unless he maintains errors with the toxicology and the longer he has a claim in to exhume the body to look for medical causes it is probably in limbo. Apparently, the $100,000 life insurance policy she had was already paid and was in an escrow account which Barbera milked dry. I am surprised he didn't sue that criminal too. He apparently stole all the money through billing fraud with Tom Ruskin's company. That aside, I would not be surprised if the insurance company does not also have a claim in there to recover money, espiecially if there is any evidence of her doing it intentionally. I am surprised they paid it at all after the toxicology report came out. Danny has nothing, it is all tied up in her estate.

Well put. Let me just add that per one source, at least some of Dan's lawsuits are on behalf of his children, not himself. (I realize his daughter is dead. I'm not sure what happens to money awarded to her.)

 

[Nova]

I originally thought that Warren's daughter Emma would have told....

Good catch, sharkeyes. I suspect you are right (though people do say strange things at funerals, remarks which have more to do with keeping up appearances than their honest feelings about the deceased).

Still, as far as I know, the Hances have cooperated with LE. Is that not true? I would think they would have told LE whatever their daughter said to them.

 

[sharkeyes]

Still, as far as I know, the Hances have cooperated with LE. Is that not true? I would think they would have told LE whatever their daughter said to them.

Absolutely, from what I've read, the Hance's have been completely cooperative with LE, and have undoubtedly shared the content of the conversations; however, they have distanced themselves from the Schuler's - which is understandable.

 

[RSorensen]

This is my first post although I have been following this case since it happened near where I lived at the time. I have not read through all the posts and I am curious if any of you have read the Bastardi's new book "Taconic Tragedy..." After reading the book, viewing the documentary and reading transcripts and other documents relating to the case, I have the following comments.

First, this was not a suicide. Diane simply did not have the kind of background or temperament to do something so drastic, especially taking four children and three innocent men with her. I am around mental health professionals every day and have discussed this case with a number of them. Not one thinks this was a deliberate act. Stupid? Yes. Irresponsible? Yes. Deliberate? No.

With regard to Diane's husband, I think he probably knows why Diane started drinking that day and it probably had it roots in the fact that he was AWOL on Thursday. I think there is a real possibility that Diane found out something no wife wants to discover and ended up going off the deep end. She started to drink by pouring some of the vodka into her soda (or orange juice, whatever) and didn't know how much she was consuming. Adding marijuana to this mix was stupid and deadly. I think she reached a critical mass and became delirious. I am not excusing her actions. They were criminal and have caused incredible suffering by all the families involved. I also think it is very possible that she was not a regular drinker and this made the situation worse. Just because she was drunk that day doesn't provide a bit of evidence that she was an alcoholic.

I have some real problems with the number of lawsuits generated from this case. I am particularly disturbed by the suit against the Bastardi's dead son by the family of Mr. Longo. This one is mean spirited to put it mildly and I wonder what the deceased Mr. Longo would think of his family suing his good friends. l also think that the people in the third car - the one hit by the Bastardi vehicle, should grow up and get a life. In fact, of all the people involved in this they came out WITH their lives. They should count their blessings and move on.

But, I am saving most of my disappointment for the Bastardi family for their filing suit against the Hance family who lost all of their children in this tragedy. The claims in their book, which is poorly written and rediculously expensive, had to have been made becaue they couldn't sell a book with what they had so they decided to fill its 200 pages with unfounded accusations and speculation. To call this a "search for the truth" insults intelligent people.

Here is why: First, the Bastardi family claim that Mr. Hance, who spoke with his sister during her downward spiral, either knew or should have known that she was an alcoholic and that she was drunk during the call. However, there is really no evidence of that. She was drunk that day, but that does not a "drunk" make. They also claim that she must have been slurring her words which should have tipped Mr. Hance off that she was intoxicated. However, Mr. Hance stated that he thought she was ill and told her to stay where she was until he could come and get her. There are a number of illnesses that would make someone slur their words if they in fact were slurred - that again is pure speculation because the Bastardis did not hear the conversation.

Another claim of the Bastardi's is that Mr. Hance and his wife did not call the police, meet with the police or call 911 to stop Diane because they knew she was drunk and wanted to find her before the police did. First, if Mr. Hance believed his sister was sick and had stopped the car and was waiting for him to come and get her, there would be no purpose for him to call 911. He had a friend call the police to help him find the rest stop near Tarrytown. He also - when he got there and couldn't find Diane and the car - went to the police station. There is no need to call 911 or call the police if you actually go to the police station, is there? The Bastardi book also criticizes the fact that Mr. Hance arrived at the police station after the accident had happened. So what? He didn't know the accident had happened! Finally, despite claims to the contrary, Mr. Hance did sit for an interview with the police after the tragedy.

This was a terrible accident and most likely a crime. If she had survived the accident Diane Schuler would likely be in jail and rightfully so. But all sides in this tragedy need to take a breath and stop the nastiness. What they all seem to want is someone to blame who is still alive so they can be punished. That is not going to happen.

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear your comments. Although my comments might sound strident, I truly am interested in yours and am open to alternate views.

 

[Nova]

Wow! Great first post, RS! Welcome to Websleuths!

 

[delaney]

Great First Post!

:welcome:

 

[rpd113]

All civil lawsuits are public record. What are you talking about?

I was imprecise, but c'mon. There's documents filed in the prothonotary's office and then there's hiring a lawyer from Howard Stern's wack pack and holding press conferences and appearing on Oprah and Larry King and taking money for a documentary.

 

[Fairy1]

This is my first post although I have been following this case since it happened near where I lived at the time. I have not read through all the posts and I am curious if any of you have read the Bastardi's new book "Taconic Tragedy..." After reading the book, viewing the documentary and reading transcripts and other documents relating to the case, I have the following comments.

First, this was not a suicide. Diane simply did not have the kind of background or temperament to do something so drastic, especially taking four children and three innocent men with her. I am around mental health professionals every day and have discussed this case with a number of them. Not one thinks this was a deliberate act. Stupid? Yes. Irresponsible? Yes. Deliberate? No.

With regard to Diane's husband, I think he probably knows why Diane started drinking that day and it probably had it roots in the fact that he was AWOL on Thursday. I think there is a real possibility that Diane found out something no wife wants to discover and ended up going off the deep end. She started to drink by pouring some of the vodka into her soda (or orange juice, whatever) and didn't know how much she was consuming. Adding marijuana to this mix was stupid and deadly. I think she reached a critical mass and became delirious. I am not excusing her actions. They were criminal and have caused incredible suffering by all the families involved. I also think it is very possible that she was not a regular drinker and this made the situation worse. Just because she was drunk that day doesn't provide a bit of evidence that she was an alcoholic.

I have some real problems with the number of lawsuits generated from this case. I am particularly disturbed by the suit against the Bastardi's dead son by the family of Mr. Longo. This one is mean spirited to put it mildly and I wonder what the deceased Mr. Longo would think of his family suing his good friends. l also think that the people in the third car - the one hit by the Bastardi vehicle, should grow up and get a life. In fact, of all the people involved in this they came out WITH their lives. They should count their blessings and move on.

But, I am saving most of my disappointment for the Bastardi family for their filing suit against the Hance family who lost all of their children in this tragedy. The claims in their book, which is poorly written and rediculously expensive, had to have been made becaue they couldn't sell a book with what they had so they decided to fill its 200 pages with unfounded accusations and speculation. To call this a "search for the truth" insults intelligent people.

Here is why: First, the Bastardi family claim that Mr. Hance, who spoke with his sister during her downward spiral, either knew or should have known that she was an alcoholic and that she was drunk during the call. However, there is really no evidence of that. She was drunk that day, but that does not a "drunk" make. They also claim that she must have been slurring her words which should have tipped Mr. Hance off that she was intoxicated. However, Mr. Hance stated that he thought she was ill and told her to stay where she was until he could come and get her. There are a number of illnesses that would make someone slur their words if they in fact were slurred - that again is pure speculation because the Bastardis did not hear the conversation.

Another claim of the Bastardi's is that Mr. Hance and his wife did not call the police, meet with the police or call 911 to stop Diane because they knew she was drunk and wanted to find her before the police did. First, if Mr. Hance believed his sister was sick and had stopped the car and was waiting for him to come and get her, there would be no purpose for him to call 911. He had a friend call the police to help him find the rest stop near Tarrytown. He also - when he got there and couldn't find Diane and the car - went to the police station. There is no need to call 911 or call the police if you actually go to the police station, is there? The Bastardi book also criticizes the fact that Mr. Hance arrived at the police station after the accident had happened. So what? He didn't know the accident had happened! Finally, despite claims to the contrary, Mr. Hance did sit for an interview with the police after the tragedy.

This was a terrible accident and most likely a crime. If she had survived the accident Diane Schuler would likely be in jail and rightfully so. But all sides in this tragedy need to take a breath and stop the nastiness. What they all seem to want is someone to blame who is still alive so they can be punished. That is not going to happen.

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear your comments. Although my comments might sound strident, I truly am interested in yours and am open to alternate views.

Welcome and thank you! I agree 100% with everything you have said.

 

[twinkiesmom]

This is my first post although I have been following this case since it happened near where I lived at the time. I have not read through all the posts and I am curious if any of you have read the Bastardi's new book "Taconic Tragedy..." After reading the book, viewing the documentary and reading transcripts and other documents relating to the case, I have the following comments.

First, this was not a suicide. Diane simply did not have the kind of background or temperament to do something so drastic, especially taking four children and three innocent men with her. I am around mental health professionals every day and have discussed this case with a number of them. Not one thinks this was a deliberate act. Stupid? Yes. Irresponsible? Yes. Deliberate? No.

With regard to Diane's husband, I think he probably knows why Diane started drinking that day and it probably had it roots in the fact that he was AWOL on Thursday. I think there is a real possibility that Diane found out something no wife wants to discover and ended up going off the deep end. She started to drink by pouring some of the vodka into her soda (or orange juice, whatever) and didn't know how much she was consuming. Adding marijuana to this mix was stupid and deadly. I think she reached a critical mass and became delirious. I am not excusing her actions. They were criminal and have caused incredible suffering by all the families involved. I also think it is very possible that she was not a regular drinker and this made the situation worse. Just because she was drunk that day doesn't provide a bit of evidence that she was an alcoholic.

I have some real problems with the number of lawsuits generated from this case. I am particularly disturbed by the suit against the Bastardi's dead son by the family of Mr. Longo. This one is mean spirited to put it mildly and I wonder what the deceased Mr. Longo would think of his family suing his good friends. l also think that the people in the third car - the one hit by the Bastardi vehicle, should grow up and get a life. In fact, of all the people involved in this they came out WITH their lives. They should count their blessings and move on.

But, I am saving most of my disappointment for the Bastardi family for their filing suit against the Hance family who lost all of their children in this tragedy. The claims in their book, which is poorly written and rediculously expensive, had to have been made becaue they couldn't sell a book with what they had so they decided to fill its 200 pages with unfounded accusations and speculation. To call this a "search for the truth" insults intelligent people.

Here is why: First, the Bastardi family claim that Mr. Hance, who spoke with his sister during her downward spiral, either knew or should have known that she was an alcoholic and that she was drunk during the call. However, there is really no evidence of that. She was drunk that day, but that does not a "drunk" make. They also claim that she must have been slurring her words which should have tipped Mr. Hance off that she was intoxicated. However, Mr. Hance stated that he thought she was ill and told her to stay where she was until he could come and get her. There are a number of illnesses that would make someone slur their words if they in fact were slurred - that again is pure speculation because the Bastardis did not hear the conversation.

Another claim of the Bastardi's is that Mr. Hance and his wife did not call the police, meet with the police or call 911 to stop Diane because they knew she was drunk and wanted to find her before the police did. First, if Mr. Hance believed his sister was sick and had stopped the car and was waiting for him to come and get her, there would be no purpose for him to call 911. He had a friend call the police to help him find the rest stop near Tarrytown. He also - when he got there and couldn't find Diane and the car - went to the police station. There is no need to call 911 or call the police if you actually go to the police station, is there? The Bastardi book also criticizes the fact that Mr. Hance arrived at the police station after the accident had happened. So what? He didn't know the accident had happened! Finally, despite claims to the contrary, Mr. Hance did sit for an interview with the police after the tragedy.

This was a terrible accident and most likely a crime. If she had survived the accident Diane Schuler would likely be in jail and rightfully so. But all sides in this tragedy need to take a breath and stop the nastiness. What they all seem to want is someone to blame who is still alive so they can be punished. That is not going to happen.

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear your comments. Although my comments might sound strident, I truly am interested in yours and am open to alternate views.

Welcome to Websleuths!

Was there anything new in the book that we didn't get from the new reports or the documentary? I'm surprised they didn't offer it as a cheaper e-book if the motivation was to get their side out there.

I think the Hances would have had to have been included in all the suits since they owned the car. I am surprised to hear the Bastardi family member authoring the book went vitriolic against the Hances when the new reports did not reveal those feelings.

I agree that the police should have been called, but it would not have prevented the crash because of the close timing of her last call and the impact and the fact that Diane was headed away from home at the time of the crash.

I'm not surprised they are looking for someone alive to blame and looking for ways the crash could have been prevented....as my fellow poster says, that is only human nature.