Husband of wrong way driver says she didn't drive drunk

[airportwoman]

Not true.



http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/insulin.jsp

Where did you go to medical, nursing, or pharmacy school? Many Type II diabetics can actually control their disease with diet and exercise and no medication at all.

As for abscessed teeth, I once had one for 5 months and my doctor was completely stumped as to why I was sick. He had me evaluated for MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and several other very serious diseases, but because this abscess was painless and I was not running a fever, they just didn't know.

One day it "pointed" on my gumline; I made a dentist's appointment, had a root canal and 10 days of penicillin, and my doctor was very happy that I had something that was curable.

[Carol25]

According to some reports he called the police 40 minutes after that call..

Which, if correct, to me would indicate she was drunk and he knew it.

If it's not the case, then I still don't want to believe she was that messed up with all those kids in her car!
Shells, assume you were on a jury. You could only follow the evidence. What would you find ? Guilty or not guilty for Diane if she had lived to be put on trial?

[Shells2]

Shells, assume you were on a jury. You could only follow the evidence. What would you find ? Guilty or not guilty for Diane if she had lived to be put on trial?

Only following evidence, I would like to hear from the ME, as well as a medical expert indicating what "medical reason" as the family is claiming could cause this confusion etc and hear confirmation from the ME that this could indeed have been the case, based on the autopsy. If the two medical experts could not be agree, I would find guilty for sure based on what we know at this point.

[Shells2]

Where did you go to medical, nursing, or pharmacy school? Many Type II diabetics can actually control their disease with diet and exercise and no medication at all.

.


LOL the link the poster provided says :

"Some people with type 2 diabetes need diabetes pills or insulin shots to help their bodies use glucose for energy."

It doesn't say everyone... the poster must have missed that part..

[n/t]

Stay tuned...I think that is exactly what happened. She stopped. Her brother told her to stay put, that he'd come get her. She threw her cell out of the car, took off...no "illness" makes you do that.

I agree. I think she got angry with her brother. Probably even pissed off at her niece for calling dad. Afterall, she had everything under control.....in her intoxicated mind. I have a feeling she was a nasty drunk.

What a sensless and horrific tragedy. Those poor children and the other 3 men. I can't imagine the horror in the last seconds of their lives.

[R~O~S]

Only following evidence, I would like to hear from the ME, as well as a medical expert indicating what "medical reason" as the family is claiming could cause this confusion etc and hear confirmation from the ME that this could indeed have been the case, based on the autopsy. If the two medical experts could not be agree, I would find guilty for sure based on what we know at this point.

The medical examiner has already ruled out all the medical conditions such as stroke, heart attack and seizure.

There is no doubt about the BAC result, and vodka only gets into your stomach one way, there was undigested vodka in her stomach.

Someone asked earlier if any drivers called 911, I just found this, the info about the 6 grams of undigested vodka in her stomach is earlier in the article:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08042009/news/regionalnews/wrong_way_driver_was_drunk_and_high_182966.htm

Six drivers called 911 before the crash, which happened about 35 miles north of Manhattan.

Witnesses told investigators that they saw Schuler's red car driving erratically. They also said the minivan was straddling two lanes, tailgating and flashing its headlights.

ETA: It would be really nice if posters could put aside their childish little jabs at other posters in an effort to actually allow a discussion to go forward. It's rather selfish to derail thread after thread with petty nit picking that has nothing what so ever to do with the subject at hand. Diane didn't have diabetes. Can we move on now?

[Lady_Jean_La]

In my opinion the talk of diabetes is foolish.

When you get the toxicology reports that she is 10 times the limit...

He 'drinking buddy' says she liked her vodka....

The bottle was found at the scene,....

When there is evidence of maijuana...

When the cousin calls and is afraid of her aunts actions in the car and slurring of words...

Just how much more do you need?

Diabetes? I think not. It would help her husband though, wouldn't it?

Absolutely! She was drunk. imo

[Details]

And if anyone knew, and waited 40 minutes when she was dead drunk to call the police - that is something that should be looked at.

[n/t]

The medical examiner has already ruled out all the medical conditions such as stroke, heart attack and seizure.

There is no doubt about the BAC result, and vodka only gets into your stomach one way, there was undigested vodka in her stomach.

Someone asked earlier if any drivers called 911, I just found this, the info about the 6 grams of undigested vodka in her stomach is earlier in the article:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08042009/news/regionalnews/wrong_way_driver_was_drunk_and_high_182966.htm

hmmmm tailgating and flashing headlights. Sounds like what someone with road rage would do. Intoxicated and road rage. Lethal indeed.

[Pat]

Details

And if anyone knew, and waited 40 minutes when she was dead drunk to call the police - that is something that should be looked at.




That would be the father of those little girls in the car.

If he suspected or knew she was drunk, and her own husband knew she'd been drinking and smoking before she left the campground, they know they are equally responsible for the death of those children and the three men in the other car. Maybe not legally, but morally.

[Lady_Jean_La]

I'm still not convinced that something else didn't happen here, I just can not believe a woman would get THAT messed up and drive with her and her brothers children down a highway..
Do you believe the ME report? Do you believe she had been drinking? Just what don't you believe?

[Pat]

hmmmm tailgating and flashing headlights. Sounds like what someone with road rage would do. Intoxicated and road rage. Lethal indeed.

That was before she stopped and talked to her brother, correct? After she talked to him, she threw the cell phone out of the car and left, going the wrong way.

Someone else, in a much earlier post, suggested rage and a possible suicide.

[R~O~S]

That was before she stopped and talked to her brother, correct? After she talked to him, she threw the cell phone out of the car and left, going the wrong way.

Someone else, in a much earlier post, suggested rage and a possible suicide.

Murder-suicide, if she really drove 2 miles down the road heading in the wrong direction with cars hurling toward her there is no way in the world she didn't know she was on the wrong side of the road.

If it wasn't intentional, she would have pulled off the road in a lot less than two miles.

I have no idea if that's true. I'm not clear on how far she traveled the wrong way, nor do I know if the road was congested or if the unfortunate men she killed were the first to come upon her.

[Pat]

what was her blood level, was she legally drunk?

As stated on many a post, yes, according to the autopsy report she was. She also undigested alcohol in her stomach and high levels of THC.

She'd been drinking and smoking. The smoking, according to the ME, was within 15 min to 1 hour before she died.

[Lady_Jean_La]

The medical examiner has already ruled out all the medical conditions such as stroke, heart attack and seizure.

There is no doubt about the BAC result, and vodka only gets into your stomach one way, there was undigested vodka in her stomach.

Someone asked earlier if any drivers called 911, I just found this, the info about the 6 grams of undigested vodka in her stomach is earlier in the article:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08042009/news/regionalnews/wrong_way_driver_was_drunk_and_high_182966.htm



ETA: It would be really nice if posters could put aside their childish little jabs at other posters in an effort to actually allow a discussion to go forward. It's rather selfish to derail thread after thread with petty nit picking that has nothing what so ever to do with the subject at hand. Diane didn't have diabetes. Can we move on now?

She was drunk. No reason not to believe that. imo

[Pat]

Murder-suicide, if she really drove 2 miles down the road heading in the wrong direction with cars hurling toward her there is no way in the world she didn't know she was on the wrong side of the road.

If it wasn't intentional, she would have pulled off the road in a lot less than two miles.

I have no idea if that's true. I'm not clear on how far she traveled the wrong way, nor do I know if the road was congested or if the unfortunate men she killed were the first to come upon her.

According to the news I've read, she hit another car and injured a man and his wife. I couldn't tell from the way the article was written how serious the injuries were.

[n/t]

Do we know where the parents of the 3 girls (her nieces) were? Did the nieces go along on this camping trip without the parents? Why was she driving her brother's van?

[Lady_Jean_La]

Do we know where the parents of the 3 girls (her nieces) were? Did the nieces go along on this camping trip without the parents? Why was she driving her brother's van?IIRC the father was following.

[curiousD]

This story just gets more and more bizarre..What a tragic nightmare for the survivors left behind..wow..
did someone say she was pregnant on top of it???
wow:scared:

[Why]

hmmmm tailgating and flashing headlights. Sounds like what someone with road rage would do. Intoxicated and road rage. Lethal indeed.

I wander if she was generally an angry person. Since she was an accounting manager, I'll bet that some of the employees could really shed some light on her general temperament.

[n/t]

IIRC the father was following.

The girls father was following? Wait a sec. I never read that anywhere. They spoke on the phone and IIRC, she told him his daughter would be home in time for an event of some sort. The little girl called her dad to tell him Aunt was talking funny. :confused:

[DesertStars]

Four. One survived.

Actually, there were five children. Her three nieces, her two year old daughter, and her five year old son. Her son was the one that survived.

[R~O~S]

This story just gets more and more bizarre..What a tragic nightmare for the survivors left behind..wow..
did someone say she was pregnant on top of it???
wow:scared:

No, not pregnant as far as we know. The only way she could have been impacted by one of the excuses the lawyer gave, gestational diabetes, would be if she were pregnant.

Her daughter is 2 years old, gestational diabetes would have resolved at her birth unless she was the very rare case & it wasn't really gestational. She wasn't the rare case.

[Pat]

The girls father was following? Wait a sec. I never read that anywhere. They spoke on the phone and IIRC, she told him his daughter would be home in time for an event of some sort. The little girl called her dad to tell him Aunt was talking funny. :confused:

The 3 girl's father was not on this trip. From what I've read, they went with the woman and her family to camp out for the weekend, at a campground where the woman and her husband owned a trailer (?) they used on the weekends. The woman's husband left the campground when she did, one source says he was going fishing.

[Lady_Jean_La]

The girls father was following? Wait a sec. I never read that anywhere. They spoke on the phone and IIRC, she told him his daughter would be home in time for an event of some sort. The little girl called her dad to tell him Aunt was talking funny. :confused:
I guess I remember wrong then...thought I saw that several pages back.

[n/t]

The 3 girl's father was not on this trip. From what I've read, they went with the woman and her family to camp out for the weekend, at a campground where the woman and her husband owned a trailer (?) they used on the weekends. The woman's husband left the campground when she did, one source says he was going fishing.

Thanks! I can't imagine these parents losing their 3 precious daughters. I think I'd go crazy.

[curiousD]

Well, closet abusers go to great lengths to hide their addictions. Good thinking about the coworkers..they should be able to tell what kind of personality she had. I suppose more info will come out......I cant wait...Im nosy..hehehehehe
how could this woman have hid this from EVERYONE? :confused:

[Lady_Jean_La]

Well, closet abusers go to great lengths to hide their addictions. Good thinking about the coworkers..they should be able to tell what kind of personality she had. I suppose more info will come out......I cant wait...Im nosy..hehehehehe
how could this woman have hid this from EVERYONE? :confused:I'm reminded of the movie, Darby O'Gill and the Little People. I think the King's jug never went empty and he never got drunk. So, the husband packs the Vodka bottle every weekend and it last all summer. Little does he know the wife empties and fills it every week. imo

[Shells2]

Do you believe the ME report? Do you believe she had been drinking? Just what don't you believe?

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..

[SavannahStar]

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..

It all seems quite unbelievable to me as well. :sad:

[DesertStars]

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..

I agree with you, Shells2. By all accounts that we have heard she was a loving, responsible mother and aunt. It seems inconceivable that she would get drunk and loaded with a vehicle full of precious cargo. As you said, even if she had a problem, it seems like she would have waited until she was home to start drinking and/or smoking pot. I guess we may never know what really happened.Thoughts and prayers to the families, this is just so terrible.

[Shells2]

In Vitro Production of an Unusually
High Ethanol Concentration in a Postmortem
Blood Specimen
Logan B. Umberger*, Judith Tobin, and Rebecca A. Jufer
State of Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 200 S. Adams Street,
Wilmington, DE 19801


http://www.soft-tox.org/docs/SOFT_Abstracts_2002.pdf


WOW!! That was pretty interesting Xenman... so maybe there could be more to this story...

[BOZGAL2]

After reading a link someone so kindly posted earlier today concerning the little girl's phone call to her father, I am sickened to the core.

To think what these children saw before they died. :crying:

I believe the tox reports. Plain & simple.
Something is wrong here as the family protests too much. Sounds like a very dysfunctional family. JMO

My heart goes out to the innocent victims families. :rose:

[R~O~S]

I agree with you, Shells2. By all accounts that we have heard she was a loving, responsible mother and aunt. It seems inconceivable that she would get drunk and loaded with a vehicle full of precious cargo. As you said, even if she had a problem, it seems like she would have waited until she was home to start drinking and/or smoking pot. I guess we may never know what really happened.Thoughts and prayers to the families, this is just so terrible.


I think that's what has us all confused, unwilling to accept this really is as simple as the very clear information we've heard the authorities say.

The idea that any seemingly responsible mom would do this is incomprehensible to us.

Mistakes can be made by LE & sometimes the improbable happens.

We all need the finality of knowing they checked every other possibility.

The most damning thing to me is the stomach contents. Undigested vodka doesn't lend itself to much chance of mistaken analysis. IMO

[Lady_Jean_La]

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..

The alternative seems outrageous to me. All evidence points to her being drunk and the others in denial. imo

[SavannahStar]

The alternative seems outrageous to me. All evidence points to her being drunk and the others in denial. imo

I think my problem is not so much that she was driving drunk and stoned, but that others were in denial. I am NOT so convinced people were aware of her drinking/smoking. I'm not even convinced this was a regular habit of hers.

To me, this is not a cut and dried case. We're missing something, I think.

[n/t]

I do hope they re-test this woman if for nothing else than to confirm their autopsy reports. IF she was a diabetic -- the coroner definitely could have overlooked something. My personal belief is that she was DWI but I suppose anything is possible. JMO

I do KNOW for a fact that a person with diabetes that takes a breathalyzer will test false-positive for DWI. I suggest that anyone who is a diabetic wear a medic alert bracelet and have a sticker placed on their car to alert authorities in case they are stopped for erratic driving due to a diabetic attack. JMO

How do you explain the vodka in her stomach and marijuana in her system? Her own husband is now saying she drank vodka. Of course, he's going to say she didn't drink much and she carried that same bottle around or whatever he said. His statement made absolutely no sense and the only reason he's saying it is denial and avoiding potential lawsuits and/or he feels somehow responsible for allowing her to drive those precious children knowing she was a drunk.

I would bet my last dollar she drove intoxicated many times before but got lucky and was never caught. Sadly, this time it not only cost her own life but 7 other innocent victims lives.

Why are we still on the diabetes theory? She did not have diabetes. That theory came from the husband's attorney and he also threw out other theories which make no sense considering what was found during the autopsy.

It is what it is. Sick, sad, unconscionable. But all drunk driving accidents are. Unfortunately, innocent lives pay the price for someone's selfish behaviour.

Will I ever understand it? Nope. Same as I will never understand how a mom can murder her own children or a woman harming a child.

[Lady_Jean_La]

I'm not buying the vodka bottle story.

Why take a bottle with them every week?

They aren't poor. Leave a bottle at camp and one at home. imo

[n/t]

I'm not buying the vodka bottle story.

Why take a bottle with them every week?

They aren't poor. Leave a bottle at camp and one at home. imo

I feel sorry for the guy. I think the more he tries to explain it away and deny it, the more he will get caught up in lies and legal troubles. His attorney should advise him not to speak to the media, imo.

[AnniePie]

I feel sorry for the guy. I think the more he tries to explain it away and deny it, the more he will get caught up in lies and legal troubles. His attorney should advise him not to speak to the media, imo.

Did you get a load of the attorney though? Talk about playing to the crowd. He's loving his 15 minutes of fame (MHO) and isn't going to shut his client up unless he has to.

[Barbara2]

I feel sorry for the guy. I think the more he tries to explain it away and deny it, the more he will get caught up in lies and legal troubles. His attorney should advise him not to speak to the media, imo.

I'm not sure it's lies. If he really is the spouse of an alcoholic, the dynamics of the family unit are such that he could be described as being in serious denial but not necessarily lying.

[Lavinia]

This is what I don't understand... If she lived (and of course the kids and the men), she sure would have been visibly drunk when she got home this time and the kids would have had a hell of a tale. We have Mr. Schuler claiming he doesn't know of her drinking though (except for minor, very occasional drinks). The brother says he is unaware (though surely the kids would have had stories if this *is* her usual). No one has heard about any prior episodes the way they tell it.

It sounds like, to me, that she *was* a (heavy) drinker, but for some reason is this the first time she "lost it"? Had she been well controlled until this day? What happened this day? I'm *still* :confused:.

[MiamiNice1]

"Something's Wrong with Aunt Diane"

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08072009/news/columnists/something_wrong_with_aunt_diane__183387.htm

From the article:

"There's something wrong with Aunt Diane!"

"Before this call, Schuler made three increasingly frantic calls from her cell - not the one calm conversation that had been previously reported."

Full article at link.
My gosh, what a horror! :ohmy:

Why in the world did that woman KEEP DRIVING?!?

I cannot even imagine what her brother must have suffered (and of course, still is) listening to his daughter's anguish in her last moments of her short life, while he was completely helpless to stop this nightmare. :(

[Why]

I wonder if something set her off that day? Maybe one of the phone calls (argument with the husband perhaps) upset her greatly. Maybe she found out that her husband was really going to see another woman or something.

Could this possibly be a murder/suicide where she just said "forget it" and intentionally drove in the wrong direction? I know that it's not impossible, but isn't it a bit difficult to enter into the exit ramp? Maybe if you are disoriented - it's not difficult.

[curiousD]

I'm not buying the vodka bottle story.

Why take a bottle with them every week?

They aren't poor. Leave a bottle at camp and one at home. imo


I guess drunks carry bottles..At first when you read this story its so horrendous we just dont want to think there are "normal' people out there driving this drunk..but when i really think about it....it probably is what it appears to be..and these people couldnt go camping without thier booze.. Drunks have all kinds of excuses and the drunks i know all think they are fine to drive...the more i think about it the more disgusted i get.:angry:

[MiamiNice1]

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..
(bolding mine for emphasis) You've done a great job explaining my feelings on this as well, Shells. I don't want to believe it either, but the evidence is leaving me no choice. :(

[n/t]

I'm not sure it's lies. If he really is the spouse of an alcoholic, the dynamics of the family unit are such that he could be described as being in serious denial but not necessarily lying.

Sorry. I have to disagree. There are different types of denial. One is denial by lying to avoid the truth. They use lies to protect themselves and/or others.

[Leanne Weich]

When I saw a press conference - think it was on Fox, the first thing the attorney said was "we will not be discussing the use of MJ in any way at all". That immediately sent up red flags for me. I think they both were regular MJ users.

[Why]

When I saw a press conference - think it was on Fox, the first thing the attorney said was "we will not be discussing the use of MJ in any way at all". That immediately sent up red flags for me. I think they both were regular MJ users.

Since they are basically admitting to the marijuana, maybe Daniel really did not know about any alcohol abuse. Interesting, I believe that most people feel as though marijuana is not a drug anyway. I tend to believe that it is a drug but what do I know. I have never tried it.

[Lavinia]

:rose:

I just realized there were 5 children in the car not 4. I thought 3 died and 1 survived. I did not realize that Daniel Schuler also lost his daughter.

Yes. Someone put the wrong amount of children on here early on. People tried to correct it but you know how those things stick.

[Lady_Jean_La]

This is what I don't understand... If she lived (and of course the kids and the men), she sure would have been visibly drunk when she got home this time and the kids would have had a hell of a tale. We have Mr. Schuler claiming he doesn't know of her drinking though (except for minor, very occasional drinks). The brother says he is unaware (though surely the kids would have had stories if this *is* her usual). No one has heard about any prior episodes the way they tell it.

It sounds like, to me, that she *was* a (heavy) drinker, but for some reason is this the first time she "lost it"? Had she been well controlled until this day? What happened this day? I'm *still* :confused:.

She was caught by the girl. imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

I wonder if something set her off that day? Maybe one of the phone calls (argument with the husband perhaps) upset her greatly. Maybe she found out that her husband was really going to see another woman or something.

Could this possibly be a murder/suicide where she just said "forget it" and intentionally drove in the wrong direction? I know that it's not impossible, but isn't it a bit difficult to enter into the exit ramp? Maybe if you are disoriented - it's not difficult.

That has been on my mind since I first heard the story. Suicide. But I would have to know more.

[n/t]

One of Diane's drinking buddies has told The Post that her pal felt "trapped" in her marriage and regularly drowned her sorrows with vodka at a Long Island bar.

According to the autopsy report, Diane had downed the equivalent of 10 shots of vodka and had smoked marijuana anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before steering her minivan full of kids the wrong way down the Taconic in Westchester County, N.Y.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,538485,00.html


Also at the link is Bryan's condition. Poor kid. I just can't imagine the horror he witnessed. Prayers he will recover fully. He'll need a lot of therapy to deal with this horrible tragedy. :rose:

[Nellie]

Since they are basically admitting to the marijuana, maybe Daniel really did not know about any alcohol abuse. Interesting, I believe that most people feel as though marijuana is not a drug anyway. I tend to believe that it is a drug but what do I know. I have never tried it.

I believe you may be correct about the marijuana.
But, I also think he knew about the drinking too, as he quickly admitted knowledge of the Vodka bottle once it came out that it was found....but of course claimed he drank it; not her.

[Lavinia]

She was caught by the girl. imo

I'm not understanding. Do you mean when the niece called her dad saying that Aunt Diane was acting weird? Are you saying that the niece catching her caused her to "lose it"?

[Lavinia]

That has been on my mind since I first heard the story. Suicide. But I would have to know more.

That was my thought but my hubby shot me down since she had the kids with her. But to me, it's almost like she *tried* to crash. I asked hubby if he didn't think maybe she drank up to steel herself for crashing.

[Nellie]

That was my thought but my hubby shot me down since she had the kids with her. But to me, it's almost like she *tried* to crash. I asked hubby if he didn't think maybe she drank up to steel herself for crashing.

That exact thing did happen near me here in Indiana. So, don't dismiss that possibility.
I'll see if I can find an online article on it. BRB....

[Nellie]

Found it! Being in Indiana, I remember a case of a woman purposely driving head on into a vehicle to commit suicide.....and she had 3 of her own children and her nephew in her car! The crash killed those children and two other children and their father. But, she lived and was convicted of murder.

So, don't think it's an impossibility that she did this on purpose because her kids were with her. Sadly, it has happened before!

http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/2000/Ind67/wrongway.html

[Lavinia]

Found it! Being in Indiana, I remember a case of a woman purposely driving head on into a vehicle to commit suicide.....and she had 3 of her own children and her nephew in her car! The crash killed those children and two other children and their father. But, she lived and was convicted of murder.

So, don't think it's an impossibility that she did this on purpose because her kids were with her. Sadly, it has happened before!

http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/2000/Ind67/wrongway.html

Thanks Nellie. Sounds pretty darn close. (I said husband shot my theory down. I don't necessarily *listen* to him :wink:) I'm still suspicious.

[n/t]

Found it! Being in Indiana, I remember a case of a woman purposely driving head on into a vehicle to commit suicide.....and she had 3 of her own children and her nephew in her car! The crash killed those children and two other children and their father. But, she lived and was convicted of murder.

So, don't think it's an impossibility that she did this on purpose because her kids were with her. Sadly, it has happened before!

http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/2000/Ind67/wrongway.html

Wow! In lieu of what Diane's girlfriend said regarding Diane drowning her sorrows with vodka because she felt trapped in her marriage, I am really starting to believe this was indeed a murder/suicide case.

Unbelievable. How selfish to do this to children and innocent lives.

[Lady_Jean_La]

I just don't *want* to believe that a woman would do something so foolish... It is incomprehensible to me that a woman, while making a short trip from the campground to her home, would not be able to ward off a "binge" for a short time, until they arrived home. I mean, according to the ME, she was drinking vodka AND smoking pot... That just seems outrageous to me, knowing that she knew she had a vehicle full of precious cargo..

Well, if she didn't have the precious cargo, others did. I guess the typical stereo type would be young men but they hit someone else. All too often kids on bikes. imo

[n/t]

She was on the phone with her brother for 9 minutes. I wonder if we'll ever know the truth about that conversation.

[Lady_Jean_La]

I'm not understanding. Do you mean when the niece called her dad saying that Aunt Diane was acting weird? Are you saying that the niece catching her caused her to "lose it"?

It is a possibility. No longer could it be denied. Kids sometimes see what adults refuse to see. imo

[Why]

Found it! Being in Indiana, I remember a case of a woman purposely driving head on into a vehicle to commit suicide.....and she had 3 of her own children and her nephew in her car! The crash killed those children and two other children and their father. But, she lived and was convicted of murder.

So, don't think it's an impossibility that she did this on purpose because her kids were with her. Sadly, it has happened before!

http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/2000/Ind67/wrongway.html

Wow, the case above seems irrational as does the Schuler case. I really believe that it was intentional and she drank to get up the nerve to do it. I just hate that she did not care enough about the kids to let them live. I think that one of the phone calls set her off and she just decided to end it all. It has been reported that she was unhappy anyway. This is why it is possible that she was not known to be a heavy drinker but she drank heavily that day to work up the nerve. Also, since she was so affected by drinking that bottle of vodka (illness and slurring) it would almost indicate that she her body was not used to so much alcohol.

[n/t]

good link, I think that shows she was a drinker imo

and child services is thinking of taking away his surviving child because he might be too depressed after losing the rest of his family to raise the boy? is that normal, do they always check that out after a incident like this?

I don't know if it's normal but considering he admitted being a drinker himself and this horrific tragedy may cause him to go over the edge, I'm so glad they're taking precautions.

[Lavinia]

It is a possibility. No longer could it be denied. Kids sometimes see what adults refuse to see. imo

Okay, just wasn't sure of what we were talking about, lol. What I was wondering though, is what made her drink so much to begin with this day? What made her get to the point where the niece even noticed it? Why that day did she lose control? I'm leaning toward this being purposeful a bit...

[Lady_Jean_La]

Found it! Being in Indiana, I remember a case of a woman purposely driving head on into a vehicle to commit suicide.....and she had 3 of her own children and her nephew in her car! The crash killed those children and two other children and their father. But, she lived and was convicted of murder.

So, don't think it's an impossibility that she did this on purpose because her kids were with her. Sadly, it has happened before!

http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/2000/Ind67/wrongway.html

Unbelieveable! :w00t:

[Lavinia]

Wow, the case above seems irrational as does the Schuler case. I really believe that it was intentional and she drank to get up the nerve to do it. I just hate that she did not care enough about the kids to let them live. I think that one of the phone calls set her off and she just decided to end it all. It has been reported that she was unhappy anyway. This is why it is possible that she was not known to be a heavy drinker but she drank heavily that day to work up the nerve. Also, since she was so affected by drinking that bottle of vodka (illness and slurring) it would almost indicate that she her body was not used to so much alcohol.

The part I don't understand about getting zonked to do this, is that weed isn't a "normal" drug to use to do something violent. Weed will make you put it off for another day, lol. Don't mean to laugh, but it really isn't associated with this kind of thing. Anyone who smokes pot will tell you it makes you calm down. I dunno. NOTHING is making sense to me, except she was drunk and high and killed a lot of people (not that that makes sense).

[Nellie]

Maybe, since hubby isn't denying the weed, they had done it back at the campground. But, she did the Vodka on the road.

You know, I didn't think this at first....but now I'm finding myself wondering if this was murder/suicide.

I really think the conversation with her brother maybe could shed some light.....

[Lady_Jean_La]

Okay, just wasn't sure of what we were talking about, lol. What I was wondering though, is what made her drink so much to begin with this day? What made her get to the point where the niece even noticed it? Why that day did she lose control? I'm leaning toward this being purposeful a bit...

Great questions. Only the husband knows is my guess.

[n/t]

The part I don't understand about getting zonked to do this, is that weed isn't a "normal" drug to use to do something violent. Weed will make you put it off for another day, lol. Don't mean to laugh, but it really isn't associated with this kind of thing. Anyone who smokes pot will tell you it makes you calm down. I dunno. NOTHING is making sense to me, except she was drunk and high and killed a lot of people (not that that makes sense).

Doesn't weed also make some people paranoid?

[Lavinia]

Ah, that's an idea, Nellie.

[Musterion]

Hey You. Haven't seen you in a while. Hope you are good.

I"m wondering if there were others out camping w/them if they were tested for drugs too. Maybe a bunch of adults were out on a weekend camping trip and all of them were drinking and doing drugs. It happens. I don't think you can just make a couple of stops to pick up MJ and Booze on a sunday morning, can you? If she didn't have a combo of both drugs and booze in her system, we might have a mystery here but w/both. I think she did it herself. I also wonder why if she wasn't feeling well, she didn't call her husband instead of her brother?? I'd of called my husband. But I don't have a brother, so maybe those w/brothers would have called a brother instead.

All is well, Tam, and I hope with you, too!

Is Long Island in a dry county? If they are then she would not have been able to purchase alcohol on Sunday, or at all. As for MJ, if she had a connection, she would be able to access any time.

Maybe she did try to call her husband? I don't understand it. I still can't find if the three little girls who died had their parents at the campsite with them. It would only make sense they would have gone with their own parents....Maybe.

My sense is is that, perhaps, she had this pain with her mouth and maybe started self medicating.

However, there is a part of me that wonders if she hadn't hid this secret for a long time. And had built a certain tolerance to the effects of the drugs. Including alcohol. When that happens it is very easy to convince yourself that you have control. Or you think you do.

To me, from the information we've been given, it seems that this mother did the horrendous thing of drinking and drugging and driving. I cannot dispute the toxicology reports. God have mercy.

IMO.
M.

[Lavinia]

Doesn't weed also make some people paranoid?

Yeah, but the kind of paranoid that makes you want to hide. It's a kind of paranoid that makes you think, "Oh God everyone knows I'm high. I'm going to get arrested. Oh man, I don't think what I just said was very smart. :blushing:" It's not like a psychosis type of paranoia where you think people are out to "get you" or anything. It's just more of an anxious feeling. Just think like if you have to speak in front of a crowd of thousands. That kind of anxiety. (You don't want to kill the crowd of thousands, you just want the earth to open and swallow you.)

[n/t]

Maybe, since hubby isn't denying the weed, they had done it back at the campground. But, she did the Vodka on the road.

You know, I didn't think this at first....but now I'm finding myself wondering if this was murder/suicide.

I really think the conversation with her brother maybe could shed some light.....

I think so too, Nellie. The conversation lasted 9 minutes and then shortly thereafter she throws the cellphone out the window? Right?

[n/t]

Maybe, since hubby isn't denying the weed, they had done it back at the campground. But, she did the Vodka on the road.

You know, I didn't think this at first....but now I'm finding myself wondering if this was murder/suicide.

I really think the conversation with her brother maybe could shed some light.....

This is what was in the article posted upthread.

"and had smoked marijuana anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour"


Sounds like she smoked it in the car and not at the campground.

[sinagua]

As a former drinker, who has now been sober 30 years - I drank a little bit of everything. But, never straight vodka. You would have to be pretty bad off to do that. Practically no one does shots of vodka.

So, was she drinking a large thing of screwdrivers? Perhaps.

Also, mj in the system, is measured by a numbers system. So, if that was high, it means that she smoked recently. If it was low, it would mean that it had been days or weeks since she used.

One thing that will make a person act irrationally is being bi-polar, but that possibilty hasn't been mentioned.

It is moo, but Daniel strikes me as one of those men that is "crying" without any tears. Look at the picture.

I say she was loaded and probably was all weekend.

[Lavinia]

This is what was in the article posted upthread.

"and had smoked marijuana anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour"


Sounds like she smoked it in the car and not at the campground.

Oh yeah, that's right.

[ttcRider]

As a former drinker, who has now been sober 30 years - I drank a little bit of everything. But, never straight vodka. You would have to be pretty bad off to do that. Practically no one does shots of vodka.

So, was she drinking a large thing of screwdrivers? Perhaps.

Also, mj in the system, is measured by a numbers system. So, if that was high, it means that she smoked recently. If it was low, it would mean that it had been days or weeks since she used.

One thing that will make a person act irrationally is being bi-polar, but that possibilty hasn't been mentioned.

It is moo, but Daniel strikes me as one of those men that is "crying" without any tears. Look at the picture.

I say she was loaded and probably was all weekend.

Arent Vodka Martinis just shots of vodka in a fancy glass? :confused:

[sinagua]

No. It is 1 shot of vodka to 3 shots of dry vermouth - and an olive.

[Musterion]

One of Diane's drinking buddies has told The Post that her pal felt "trapped" in her marriage and regularly drowned her sorrows with vodka at a Long Island bar.

According to the autopsy report, Diane had downed the equivalent of 10 shots of vodka and had smoked marijuana anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before steering her minivan full of kids the wrong way down the Taconic in Westchester County, N.Y.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,538485,00.html


Also at the link is Bryan's condition. Poor kid. I just can't imagine the horror he witnessed. Prayers he will recover fully. He'll need a lot of therapy to deal with this horrible tragedy. :rose:

Hi n/t!

Long time. Where is Nicholas.....:sad: You do know Christine moved across the country, right? If this was a man wouldn't it look a bit 'suspicious'?

The article is somewhat, abrupt. Meaning, it is said that the family had 'one' bottle of vodka going for the whole 'season'. And Daniel was the one who liked to have the shot here and there. Then, all of a sudden, switches to 'drinking' buddy' of Diane. That disturbed me. Like something was just left out. Who is Diane's drinking buddy? Were there more than one? Was the bar where Diane's drinking took place interviewed by LE and why has there not been more from those in that bar, owners, etc. been out in our hungry for news websites or news shows, blogs?

My gosh, n/t, what is going on! How heartbreaking. Those poor babies.

IMO.
M.

[Mr. Moto2]

Arent Vodka Martinis just shots of vodka in a fancy glass? :confused:

I think straight Vodka is the drink of choice in Russia. Vodka has very little smell and taste, and is relatively cheap. It's a quickee drink for people who folks who want to get drunk in a hurry.

[Lady_Jean_La]

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090806/news/908069951&tc=yahoo

In New York’s Westchester County, where Diane Schuler’s crash killed her and seven other people last month, the number of women arrested for drunken driving is up 2 percent this year, and officers said they are noticing more women with children in the back seat.

“We realized for the last two to three years, the pattern of more female drivers, particularly mothers with kids in their cars, getting arrested for drunk driving,” said Tom Meier, director of Drug Prevention and Stop DWI for the county.

In one case there, a woman out clubbing with her teenage daughter was sent to prison for causing a wrong-way crash that killed her daughter’s friend.

Another woman was charged with driving drunk after witnesses said she had been drinking all day before going to pick up her children at school. Authorities said the children were scared during the ride, and once they got home, they jumped out of the car, ran to a neighbor’s house and told an adult, who called police. The mother lay passed out in the car, and police said her blood alcohol level was 0.27 percent — more than three times the legal limit.

[Lady_Jean_La]

This is what was in the article posted upthread.

"and had smoked marijuana anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour"


Sounds like she smoked it in the car and not at the campground.

I'm wondering if she smoked outside the car while on the phone. The kids had no signs of second hand smoke. imo

[Lavinia]

Actually, Daniel is a gal and a pal who has more empathy then just about anyone, IMO.

Huh? :confused:

[Nellie]

Huh? :confused:

me too....LOL!

[Lady_Jean_La]

Arent Vodka Martinis just shots of vodka in a fancy glass? :confused:

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2285-vodka-drinks-how-to-make-a-vodka-martini

[Mr. Moto2]

yep, some people drink vodka that do not want others to smell it on them, could explain the nobody knew part

maybe normally she just take a small sip here and there and this time she drank a bit too much right from the bottle

Yes, it's pretty much odorless. I shave with an electric razor, and I've used vodka as a preshave and aftershave because I don't like those perfumed shave concoctions available at the drug store. I just can't stand to have that smelly stuff on my face.

[daniel green]

"Probe of Daniel Schuler Eyes Negligence"

snipped.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/probe-of-daniel-schuler-eyes-negligence-1.1356721

Well, that is very interesting. No wonder Child Protective services are looking into this.

Leaving a child in the care of a parent who is known to be violent or abuse drugs "can frequently be the basis for a finding of neglect against the non-drug using parent," said Theo Liebmann, director of the child advocacy clinic at Hofstra University Law School.

[Musterion]

Maybe, since hubby isn't denying the weed, they had done it back at the campground. But, she did the Vodka on the road.

You know, I didn't think this at first....but now I'm finding myself wondering if this was murder/suicide.

I really think the conversation with her brother maybe could shed some light.....

Hey, Nellie, is he not denying the weed or just not commenting?

IMO.
M.

[Lavinia]

think the confusion was Daniel Schuler vs the wife, Diane Schuler and he was referring to Daniel

Thanks PureWell. I was following along and then <screeeeeech>! :laugh:

[Lady_Jean_La]

Huh? :confused:

One is a poster...:blushing:

[Lavinia]

Hey, Nellie, is he not denying the weed or just not commenting?

IMO.
M.

To me, the silence (no comment) on the pot is deafening.

[Lavinia]

One is a poster...:blushing:

THAT makes sense, lol.

[ttcRider]

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2285-vodka-drinks-how-to-make-a-vodka-martini

Thanks Lady Jean La. So pretty much a shot of vodka in a fancy glass! :laugh:

[Lady_Jean_La]

think the confusion was Daniel Schuler vs the wife, Diane Schuler and he was referring to Daniel

I thought the confusion was with Daniel Green - a poster. :shrug:

[Lady_Jean_La]

Thanks Lady Jean La. So pretty much a shot of vodka in a fancy glass! :laugh:

Wonder if she bought a big OJ at McDonalds?

[daniel green]

Daniel, I have had a tooth abscess and probably so have others and maybe you. Folks can't wait 7 minutes or hours to have the pain treated let alone 7 weeks. We all go screaming to the ED. This event is tragic beyond words. I am sorry the brother did not notify the Highway Patrol and get her off the road. I am truely sorry all these children and adults died. You are a smart gal - undigested alcohol in the stomach and a huge BA level means drunk and driving.

Yeah, that was a totally nutty thing to say about an untreated abcess for 7 weeks.

And it would not have just started hurting her that day so she would have needed a drink or any of that sort of supposition.

I absolutely believe what the tox reports and autopsy show. That she was a healthy woman who had alcohol in her stomach, twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system and very high levels of THC.

[Lavinia]

I had a SIL that would drink a tumbler full of vodka. No mix, no ice and she drank it like water. I never could see a difference in her behavior either. I don't know what her drinking history was but I'm sure she wasn't a rookie. (I know when I drink alcohol, I do that shivery thing you do when you take (liquid) medicine. <blech> She never flinched.)
My husband likes to sip vodka. He thinks it tastes good. I can't imagine liking the taste. It smells and tastes like gas fumes to me.

[daniel green]

snipped


Type II diabetes does not require insulin.

I am not going to argue about this any longer. I have had Type 2 for about a zillion yrs and take insulin and have times when I must take Lantus as well.

[daniel green]

snipped


ETA: It would be really nice if posters could put aside their childish little jabs at other posters in an effort to actually allow a discussion to go forward. It's rather selfish to derail thread after thread with petty nit picking that has nothing what so ever to do with the subject at hand. Diane didn't have diabetes. Can we move on now?

Indeed, ROS.

[Lady_Jean_La]

"Good Morning America" said Barbara on Thursday blamed the deadly accident on a stroke suffered by Schuler because of an underlying diabetes condition.


http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/08/07/Lawyer-questions-details-of-DUI-crash/UPI-13871249675281/

[Lavinia]

Lavinia, I got :confused: and thought the post was about our Daniel Green. I did not realize the husband was Daniel. Sorry all.:drool:

I got cha', lol. I thought (until someone explained) you might be doing your own vodka experiments, lol. :laugh:

[daniel green]

Which is the hardest version of events to accept? That Diane Schuler, described by her husband as a perfect mother and reliable person, was the victim of a fluke circumstance — some sort of sudden-onset psychosis or stroke — that caused the deaths of eight people on the Taconic State Parkway? That Diane Schuler, who had a vodka bottle in her minivan, along with five children that desperate morning, was a raging alcoholic and her husband didn’t know? That Diane Schuler, a mother of two and a Cablevision executive, was a raging alcoholic and people knew, but didn’t intervene? No possible explanation suffices for the horrific July 26 crash, in which Ms. Schuler, returning from a camping trip, drove 1.7 miles in the wrong direction on a curvy highway before slamming into an S.U.V., killing its three passengers, as well as herself, her 2-year-old daughter and her three young nieces. She had a blood-alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/nyregion/08bigcity.html?hp

[Lady_Jean_La]

Somewhere I read/heard it was a small bottle...

says the 1.75-liter bottle of Absolut found at the crash site may well have been his.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,538485,00.html

I wouldn't call that small!

Bryan's physical recovery, meanwhile, continues.

"It will be a long road," Jay Schuler said. "He's speaking, he's talking, he's asking for people, and we have all been there for him to support him, to love him, to comfort him, and to really help him through this.

"We are at his bedside as often as can be."

[daniel green]

Lavinia, I got :confused: and thought the post was about our Daniel Green. I did not realize the husband was Daniel. Sorry all.

But what a nice post, ABC--thank you!!!!

[daniel green]

http://www.examiner.com/x-15870-Populist-Examiner~y2009m8d7-Schuler-tragedy-Family-denial-or-hidden-personal-demons

[daniel green]

On the one hand we have a distraught husband who now says his wife did not drink and a lawyer known for antics both inside and outside the courtroom who would have us believe that Diane Schuler killed herself and seven others when she drove in the wrong direction on the Taconic State Parkway because she was a) possibly diabetic; b) suffering from a tooth abbess; c) had a lump on her leg that may have been traveling to her brain. On the other hand we have autopsy and toxicology reports from a state-of-the art crime lab that not only ruled out the possibility that Diane Schuler suffered from a stroke, heart attack or diabetic episode, but found she was both drunk (to the point of being twice the legal limit) and high on marijuana. When asked to account for those toxicology reports, Dominic A. Barbara, the lawyer now representing Diane Schuler's husband Daniel, said the Long Island mother might have been slugging down alcohol in a misguided attempt to increase her blood sugar level.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/juli-charkes/who-to-believe-in-diane-s_b_253854.html

[Shells2]

I am not going to argue about this any longer. I have had Type 2 for about a zillion yrs and take insulin and have times when I must take Lantus as well.

I find this hard to believe considering you have posted quite a few innacurate statements as fact on the subject of diabetes.. I would think one with the disease would know a little more about it..

But.. regardless, Yes some people do take insulin with type II and some don't. Just because you do, doesn't mean everyone does.. Alot of people can control it with diet and excercise. Ask your doctor if you don't believe me... Or maybe just give google a shot.

[tv4me]

"I don't say that the report is accurate or not accurate," Barbara said regarding the police toxicology report in the drunk driving case. "What I say is that none of this case is logical. This is a woman who leaves a campground at 9 a.m. absolutely sober. ...We have video, we have tapes, we have people we spoke to."

Bulls@@t. The woman was drunk. The woman was high. The woman was in a hurry. The woman was angry.

There was a case years ago where I live when a woman (who apparently was a functioning alcholic) went to her church picnic with her two young kids. Husband was away on business. Everyone at the picnic said she seemed fine. No one thought she drank. However, on the way home, she bought a bottle of (you guessed it) drank most of it and somehow managed to drive home without hitting anyone. However, she was so drunk that when she got into her house she passed out...leaving her two small children straped in their carseats back in the car. It was summer. Both kids died of heat stroke. Turned out she was a very heavy drinker. Can't remember if she was charged with 2nd degree or manslaughter. She was found guilty and sent to prison.

So it can happen that you can fool people by drinking on the sly. I'm just not sure if this woman was hiding her drinking and drug use, or if her family just pretended they didn't see it.

I not sure if she wanted to kill herself. I could see her being angry that hubby gets to stay, but she has to leave to get her nieces back for their recital. Part of the passing on the shoulder, flashing brights and tailgating might be part of trying to get the girls back in time. I could see her getting really angry with Emma for calling her dad and even angier at her brother for telling her not to drive. (Ever have to tell somebody that they've had to much...sometimes the person does not take it well.)

So I can see Diane pissed (throws phone out the window), not wanting to get blamed for ruining her neices' recital and trying to show that she is still sober enough to drive, get confused and start driving the wrong way. Isn't this also the 911 calls start coming in about a driver going the wrong way, speeding and driving crazy? I'm sure at this point, the kids are starting to cry and begging her to stop which probably makes her ever madder and drive more crazy. I can only imgine what she thought when people started honking at her and flashing their lights at her.

Do they know what speed she was driving at when she hit the other car. If it was suicide, do you think she might have said somethings to the kids or said something along that lines to her brother?

Who was the sister-in-law defending her. Is that the mother of the three girls who were killed?

[Nellie]

I believe the sister in laws defending her were Shulers....so that would make them sisters of hubby.

[Lavinia]

To me, it seems like either the hubby is lying through his teeth about whether she has a problem drinking or she committed suicide/homicide. My reasoning is, if she had been hiding it, she was coming out in a BIG way that day (before the crash). There could have been no denying it after the niece called and she talked to the brother and explained her symptoms, not to mention how she would have been motor skills wise.

If hubby *didn't* know, he would that day, in spades. I don't think a drinker would let their unknowing spouse know the have a drinking problem by drinking and driving blind drunk with a car load of kids. I'm getting highly suspicious of suicide, if he didn't know, and if he did, I can accept a drunken driving "accident" more.

[AnniePie]

Yes, it's pretty much odorless. I shave with an electric razor, and I've used vodka as a preshave and aftershave because I don't like those perfumed shave concoctions available at the drug store. I just can't stand to have that smelly stuff on my face.

LOL You learn something new every day! I have never heard of that before.

[Lavinia]

Good joke and got a good laugh.

I hoped it came across as intended. :wink:

[AnniePie]

think the confusion was Daniel Schuler vs the wife, Diane Schuler and he was referring to Daniel

Uhm... :confused: ... I still don't get it. I obviously need to hit the hay.

[Lavinia]

Uhm... :confused: ... I still don't get it. I obviously need to hit the hay.

She meant DanielGreen, the poster, because she didn't realize the husband's name is Daniel, too.

[Shells2]

I have to apologize to the brother as I just read he did call the State Police after the phone conversation. Sadly, they did not find the car before the accident.

did you get a timeline on when he called? I read somewhere that it was rumored it was 40 minutes after his last call to her. ( which would have sadly been too late, but he wouldn't have know that)

I haven't found anything confirming this though..

[Mr. Moto2]

LOL You learn something new every day! I have never heard of that before.

lol.. Yep, when shaving with an electric, it's best to put some sort of alcohol your face so the beard will be propped up for easier, smoother shaving. So I keep a bottle of cheap vodka in my bathroom cabinet. I guess if company came over and saw it, they would think, "Wow, this dude must have a problem. He has to swig vodka in the bathroom."

[AnniePie]

lol.. Yep, when shaving with an electric, it's best to put some sort of alcohol your face so the beard will be propped up for easier, smoother shaving. So I keep a bottle of cheap vodka in my bathroom cabinet. I guess if company came over and saw it, they would think, "Wow, this dude must have a problem. He has to swig vodka in the bathroom."

LOL! Just the same as if anyone did a police check on my computer. They would definitely think I was a deviant who looked up every sort of psychopathic dysfunction, ways to murder people etc.! And I'm sure most of us would be in the same boat. :laugh:

[Mr. Moto2]

LOL! Just the same as if anyone did a police check on my computer. They would definitely think I was a deviant who looked up every sort of psychopathic dysfunction, ways to murder people etc.! And I'm sure most of us would be in the same boat. :laugh:

Know what you mean, and sometimes you can actually feel guilty when you're not even guilty.

[AnniePie]

Know what you mean, and sometimes you can actually feel guilty when you're not even guilty.

Oh, no kidding! Every time I go through customs between Canada and the US I feel as if I'm a criminal! I want to confess to stealing my classmate's eraser back in third grade. Yep, I babble big-time! :laugh:

[R~O~S]

Actually, Daniel is a gal and a pal who has more empathy then just about anyone, IMO.


I think she meant Daniel Schuler, not our Daniel.

But although we rarely agree on anything ABC, on this we are in complete agreement.

As for the DSS investigation, it was explained in an article posted early yesterday. If he knew she was drinking or prone to drink and let her go with the kids, he could lose custody of the surviving child. Because if he was complacent in allowing her to endanger all of them, he isn't capable of keeping the remaining child safe.

[R~O~S]

I have to apologize to the brother as I just read he did call the State Police after the phone conversation requesting them to find the car with the family. Sadly, they did not find the car before the accident.

Wasn't his call to the state police 40 minutes after he spoke to Diane?

I think he knew his kids were in trouble & struggled with making that call. He hoped she did pull over and waited for her to call back, when enough time lapsed that they should have been home and she hadn't called back he didn't know what else to do.

[Scampi]

Hiya ROS!!! When I watched the family's press conference I felt so badly for them and I was willing to extend the benefit of the doubt because they were so insistent she never drank.

Now however, since reading up on the developments I agree with those that think this was an angy, drunken woman who is responsible for the deaths of seven innocent people.

The vodka found still in her stomach sealed the deal for me.

Her poor brother......

[R~O~S]

Hiya ROS!!! When I watched the family's press conference I felt so badly for them and I was willing to extend the benefit of the doubt because they were so insistent she never drank.

Now however, since reading up on the developments I agree with those that think this was an angy, drunken woman who is responsible for the deaths of seven innocent people.

The vodka found still in her stomach sealed the deal for me.

Her poor brother......


Good Morning Scamp!

I agree, it's the undigested alcohol still in her stomach that I find truly damning.

It's possible she had a problem the family truly didn't know about, but I don't think there's much chance the analysis of the stomach content could be wrong.

Blood tests, yep those can be misinterpreted. But I don't think they were in this case & the stomach contents only confirm the BAC.

Those sweet children.......it pains me to think of how frightened they must have been over that last hour.

I'm still very curious regarding any other traffic on the road. I've now read it in more than one article, she traveled 1.7 miles in the wrong direction. If there was traffic, someone said earlier she hit another car & kept on going, then it was an intentional murder suicide.

If there was no traffic, it's likely she was just totally smashed, at 1:30 in the afternoon & with a car full of children.

I kinda think it's unlikely there wasn't other traffic on the road at that hour. I think she had to know, and kept going. JMHO

[n/t]

Timeline posted by NYPost

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

[n/t]

Diane Schuler’s last call was to her brother

http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/August09/01/Schuler_call-01Aug09.html

[n/t]

Police said Diane Schuler, who crossed the Tappan Zee about 1 p.m., and pulled over on the Tarrytown end of the bridge. At 1:02 p.m., she called her brother and had an eight minute cell phone conversation.



Hance told Schuler to stay put and he would drive to her. But Schuler instead drove off, leaving her cell phone at the roadside stop. But instead of heading south towards home, she drove north.



At 1:35 p.m., Schuler drove the Windstar against traffic down the Pleasantville Road off-ramp and headed south in the northbound lanes of the Taconic parkway.

http://www.lohud.com/article/2009908040357

[Katt2]

Given the amount of alcohol the autopsy reported in her system, I think it is possible she blacked out before she was able to correct her mistake and the van was "driving itself" for a distance before it crashed.

[n/t]

Given the amount of alcohol the autopsy reported in her system, I think it is possible she blacked out before she was able to correct her mistake and the van was "driving itself" for a distance before it crashed.

What bothers me is why didn't she listen to her brother? Her brother told her to wait and he'd go get her. Why did she not listen to him? She gets rid of her cellphone and drives off. :sad:

[Katt2]

What bothers me is why didn't she listen to her brother? Her brother told her to wait and he'd go get her. Why did she not listen to him? She gets rid of her cellphone and drives off. :sad:

Highly intoxicated individuals can become combative in both their thought process and their physical actions. So many things just don't seem to add up.

[jaxback]

What bothers me is why didn't she listen to her brother? Her brother told her to wait and he'd go get her. Why did she not listen to him? She gets rid of her cellphone and drives off. :sad:

I think Katt may be right about the blackout. I was married to an alcoholic and I've seen him function (not well) in a blackout and not remember a thing.

As to why she didn't listen to her brother, if you've ever tried to reason with an acoholic when they are under the influence, you wouldn't have to ask. Their judgment is gone, they are certain they are a) right about everything and b) perfectly functional. They can also tend to get belligernent and childish: you say black they will say white and insist they are right.

If she actually got out of the van to make the call she was probably still trying to "hide" her condition from the kids (wouldn't matter if they were crying or not, since her reasoning was gone), and she might very well have just dropped or left the phone without even knowing it.

This is all just supposition, but it unfortunately comes from experience. And the fear of this kind of "accident" is exactly what made me finally leave my ex. Those poor children and those poor passengers in the other car. It's heartbreaking.

[Dunlurken]

I read upthread where someone said if they were responsible for killing 7 people, they would hope they died too. I agree 100%. This woman killed her own 2 year old daughter due to her alcohol abuse.

I'm curious if people think the THC had anything to do with it, or was it the combination of the two? Or just the alcohol? Probably both.

How can you go the wrong way on a freeway? I guess if you're drunk, anything is possible. :confused:

[AZCHARGED]

Wonder if she bought a big OJ at McDonalds?

Hmmm, interesting thought.

[Scampi]

I am wondering exactly where she was smoking that pot? Is it possible it was in the car with the children? Can pot be detected in clothing, could the clothing be tested?

I have driven over the Tappan Zee bridge, that is one high bridge. The fact that she did not stay put after that phone call tells me there was more going on here. She was angry in addition to being drunk, imo. The family needs to tell the truth and stop sugar coating it.

I am also suspicious that the attorney is backing off his earlier assertions of getting a private autopsy.

[Dunlurken]

I am wondering exactly where she was smoking that pot? Is it possible it was in the car with the children? Can pot be detected in clothing, could the clothing be tested?

I have driven over the Tappan Zee bridge, that is one high bridge. The fact that she did not stay put after that phone call tells me there was more going on here. She was angry in addition to being drunk, imo. The family needs to tell the truth and stop sugar coating it.

I am also suspicious that the attorney is backing off his earlier assertions of getting a private autopsy.I hadn't heard about the private autopsy, them backing off. Probably a good thing. Do we know exactly where they had been camping? Guess it doesn't matter, but..... inquiring minds want to know. JMO.

When you have undigested vodka in your stomach, I think the deal is pretty much sealed.

IMO, what the family (husband) needs to do at this point is become an advocate against drinking and driving.

[n/t]

Interesting, he has own DWI....albeit it was in 1995 but still.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08092009/news/regionalnews/taconic_crash_moms_husband_has_own_dwi_183718.htm

I wonder if he was high and drunk himself on that day and that's why he didn't take the kids.

[n/t]

I am wondering exactly where she was smoking that pot? Is it possible it was in the car with the children? Can pot be detected in clothing, could the clothing be tested?

I have driven over the Tappan Zee bridge, that is one high bridge. The fact that she did not stay put after that phone call tells me there was more going on here. She was angry in addition to being drunk, imo. The family needs to tell the truth and stop sugar coating it.

I am also suspicious that the attorney is backing off his earlier assertions of getting a private autopsy.

Hiya!

If they admit to the "truth", they will be faced with civil suits. That's why I believe they're denying she was a drunk.

That phone call to her brother was probably her venting....one article mentioned she used to drink at a local bar with a girlfriend because she felt trapped in her marriage. I have a feeling she had a fight with hubby before leaving the campground. Took to the bottle to calm herself down but it escalated. One drink lead to another and another and another... She became angrier and more defiant resulting in this horrific tragedy.

[Scampi]

I hadn't heard about the private autopsy, them backing off. Probably a good thing. Do we know exactly where they had been camping? Guess it doesn't matter, but..... inquiring minds want to know. JMO.

When you have undigested vodka in your stomach, I think the deal is pretty much sealed.

IMO, what the family (husband) needs to do at this point is become an advocate against drinking and driving.

I cannot remember the name of the campground Dunnie, but some station had the owner on and she spoke well of the family.

[Scampi]

Hiya!

If they admit to the "truth", they will be faced with civil suits. That's why I believe they're denying she was a drunk.

That phone call to her brother was probably her venting....one article mentioned she used to drink at a local bar with a girlfriend because she felt trapped in her marriage. I have a feeling she had a fight with hubby before leaving the campground. Took to the bottle to calm herself down but it escalated. One drink lead to another and another and another... She became angrier and more defiant resulting in this horrific tragedy.

Hey N.!! Yep, you and I are on the same page with this one.

[n/t]

I cannot remember the name of the campground Dunnie, but some station had the owner on and she spoke well of the family.

Hunter Lake Campground in upstate Sullivan County

[R~O~S]

While looking for the name of the campground, I came upon this:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534897,00.html

A witness to the fatal crash, Katrina Papha, who was traveling north on the parkway to a family barbecue in Mahopac, said she saw the accident in her rearview mirror.

"One car goes this way, one goes that way, up in the air, both of them," she said. "I was crying. I was shaking."

Her brother, Peter Dedvukaj, driving in another vehicle, said he saw smoke ahead and traffic came to a standstill.

Which takes all the question out of whether there was traffic on the road. She knew she was headed in the wrong direction.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,536941,00.html


State police have been investigating why the businesswoman, who was a regular visitor to an upstate New York campground, would have been driving toward her Long Island home the wrong way on a highway she reportedly had driven many times.

(skip)

Schuler's husband, Daniel, told investigators that everything seemed fine when he and his wife left the Sullivan County campground at about 9:30 a.m. on the morning of the crash. He went on a fishing trip while his wife headed home with the children.

[firefly75]

I find this hard to believe considering you have posted quite a few innacurate statements as fact on the subject of diabetes.. I would think one with the disease would know a little more about it..

But.. regardless, Yes some people do take insulin with type II and some don't. Just because you do, doesn't mean everyone does.. Alot of people can control it with diet and excercise. Ask your doctor if you don't believe me... Or maybe just give google a shot.

Shell, you are correct. I have Type 1 Diabetes and wear an insulin pump. Type 1 or (Juvenile Diabetes) requires insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise but if the patient is brittle then they would need insulin.

[Scampi]

Hunter Lake Campground in upstate Sullivan County

Thanks..............lightening!! :smile:

[Heidi J.]

I read upthread where someone said if they were responsible for killing 7 people, they would hope they died too. I agree 100%. This woman killed her own 2 year old daughter due to her alcohol abuse.

I'm curious if people think the THC had anything to do with it, or was it the combination of the two? Or just the alcohol? Probably both.

How can you go the wrong way on a freeway? I guess if you're drunk, anything is possible. :confused:

THC affects people different, and since her husband hasn't denied it, I imagine they may smoke it on occasion. Weed makes you more aware of everything while driving, almost paranoid (not in a psychotic way though).

My guess is the alcohol.. I hate to say it, but the more I read, the more intentional I think this was. I feel so bad for her family right now. How selfish.:crying:

[Lavinia]

I am wondering exactly where she was smoking that pot? Is it possible it was in the car with the children? Can pot be detected in clothing, could the clothing be tested?

I have driven over the Tappan Zee bridge, that is one high bridge. The fact that she did not stay put after that phone call tells me there was more going on here. She was angry in addition to being drunk, imo. The family needs to tell the truth and stop sugar coating it.

I am also suspicious that the attorney is backing off his earlier assertions of getting a private autopsy.

Good morning Scamp! :seeya: The second autopsy was bothersome for another reason to me... Diane Schuler would have had to been exhumed for it. That would be a hard decision to make. Plus, the way it is now, they can just throw claims out that the original autopsy, as it stands, "must" be wrong. In a trial they can bring in experts that will testify that everything that a Dr. does or a lab does (in an autopsy) is all interpretive and/or junk science. If they got their own data that supports the first autopsy, that would be much more difficult. IMO.

[Heidi J.]

I hadn't heard about the private autopsy, them backing off. Probably a good thing. Do we know exactly where they had been camping? Guess it doesn't matter, but..... inquiring minds want to know. JMO.

When you have undigested vodka in your stomach, I think the deal is pretty much sealed.

IMO, what the family (husband) needs to do at this point is become an advocate against drinking and driving.

The vodka is a clincher for me too..

[Scampi]

Good morning Scamp! :seeya: The second autopsy was bothersome for another reason to me... Diane Schuler would have had to been exhumed for it. That would be a hard decision to make. Plus, the way it is now, they can just throw claims out that the original autopsy, as it stands, "must" be wrong. In a trial they can bring in experts that will testify that everything that a Dr. does or a lab does (in an autopsy) is all interpretive and/or junk science. If they got their own data that supports the first autopsy, that would be much more difficult. IMO.

Good point. Earlier this week, Wendy Murphy was on some show and brought up the fact that there are studies that show that a body exposed to high heat, can produce inaccurate chemical analysis's.

She hurried to say that she was not offering up excuses for this woman tho, cuz she thinks she was drunk.

But just the thought that there are those studies out there, gives creedence to your theory of what this attorney may be doing.

Gonna have a huge problem with the actual vodka found in Schuler's stomach tho.

[R~O~S]

I read upthread where someone said if they were responsible for killing 7 people, they would hope they died too. I agree 100%. This woman killed her own 2 year old daughter due to her alcohol abuse.

I'm curious if people think the THC had anything to do with it, or was it the combination of the two? Or just the alcohol? Probably both.

How can you go the wrong way on a freeway? I guess if you're drunk, anything is possible. :confused:


I would think the pot would have at minimum made her even looser/less coordinated than just being smashed. Alcohol effects people in different ways, some get sleepy, others get wired.

If she was a sleepy drunk, I would think it could cause her to dose while driving. If she was the wired type, I would expect it would make her more anxious/irritable/agitated.

[Lavinia]

Good point. Earlier this week, Wendy Murphy was on some show and brought up the fact that there are studies that show that a body exposed to high heat, can produce inaccurate chemical analysis's.

She hurried to say that she was not offering up excuses for this woman tho, cuz she thinks she was drunk.

But just the thought that there are those studies out there, gives creedence to your theory of what this attorney may be doing.

Gonna have a huge problem with the actual vodka found in Schuler's stomach tho.

Wendy knows her stuff, it really is different on all kinds of accidents and it is interpretive to a large extent. I'm thinking this lawyer might now want to verify the results. He knows what happened.

[Nellie]

Interesting, he has own DWI....albeit it was in 1995 but still.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08092009/news/regionalnews/taconic_crash_moms_husband_has_own_dwi_183718.htm

I wonder if he was high and drunk himself on that day and that's why he didn't take the kids.

This furthers my belief that they were than occassional drinkers.
Even though it was 14 years ago.....it still shows alcohol abuse in their lives and could only mean he just wasn't caught after that. I just have always felt he protested too much against the autopsy reports. JMO

[henry]

Murder-suicide, if she really drove 2 miles down the road heading in the wrong direction with cars hurling toward her there is no way in the world she didn't know she was on the wrong side of the road.

If it wasn't intentional, she would have pulled off the road in a lot less than two miles.

I have no idea if that's true. I'm not clear on how far she traveled the wrong way, nor do I know if the road was congested or if the unfortunate men she killed were the first to come upon her.

gmorning . . . didn't realize there's a topic about this. i drive the taconic daily - in most parts, and where this occurred, it's 3 lanes in each direction and a very generous/wide breakdown lane (more than a full car). north of white plains, the taconic is never congested . . . even during rush hour - at that time, everyone can do the speed limit. also, the taconic is a "parkway" . . . so no buses, trucks, trailers, etc . . . only passenger cars. sunday traffic is quite light.

imo - of course!

[Heidi J.]

This furthers my belief that they were than occassional drinkers.
Even though it was 14 years ago.....it still shows alcohol abuse in their lives and could only mean he just wasn't caught after that. I just have always felt he protested too much against the autopsy reports. JMO

That doesn't prove anything.. except he made a very bad mistake, it was 14 years ago! Where does that show alcohol abuse? :confused:

[Nellie]

That doesn't prove anything.. except he made a very bad mistake, it was 14 years ago! Where does that show alcohol abuse? :confused:

Never said it proved anything.
Only said it solidifies my own opinion.
When drunks don't wreck...it's a mistake.
When they do wreck and kill innocents, it's a tragedy that could have been prevented. IMO
It's also my own opinion that driving drunk is alcohol abuse....you may not share that same opinion.

[R~O~S]

That doesn't prove anything.. except he made a very bad mistake, it was 14 years ago! Where does that show alcohol abuse? :confused:


Please! Daniel states in his defense of his wife that they're near tea totalers. The same bottle of Vodka being transported back and forth to the campsite for the entire season.

Well, Daniel isn't being straight with us, is he? He has his own history that contradicts his accounting.

People who never or rarely drink, are very clear on the fact they're not in any shape to drive after having that one or two glasses of wine at a wedding.

People who are accustomed to having a drink or two, get in a car and drive, they're certain they're not "under the influence".

A poster made the comment yesterday that went unnoticed, I think. If the same bottle of vodka went back and forth week after week to the campgrounds, it's because Diane was refilling it. IMO

If Daniel really didn't know she had a problem, it very well could have been without his knowledge. But near temperance, is not a valid description of their lives.

It's what he and the family originally stated, but it's not true. Daniel is now changing the story, as more information comes out from acquaintances.

The vodka is/was his, because he liked to knock one back every now and then. But the S-I-L admits the pina coladas would be flowing at the family cookouts & the "drinking buddy" from work says Diane liked her vodka.

All the while you can't get around the fact that a non drinker doesn't start slugging a bottle of vodka while driving & clearly the only way to end up with undigested vodka in your stomach after 4 hours on the road, is if you were drinking while behind the wheel.

[Katt2]

Does anyone know about how long it should have taken Diane to get them home from the campground? I have been looking and haven't come acrossed it yet.

[Heidi J.]

Never said it proved anything.
Only said it solidifies my own opinion.
When drunks don't wreck...it's a mistake.
When they do wreck and kill innocents, it's a tragedy that could have been prevented. IMO
It's also my own opinion that driving drunk is alcohol abuse....you may not share that same opinion.

I drove drunk when I was 18.. never have I done it since..I drink maybe a total of 1 day every 3 months.. I don't think I am abusing alcohol..jmo

[jaxback]

Does anyone know about how long it should have taken Diane to get them home from the campground? I have been looking and haven't come acrossed it yet.

I did hear that it was about 90 miles, because reports were that she should never have still been on her way four hours after leaving the campground. In my neck of the woods that would be a 1 1/2 to 2 hr. drive.

[Lady_Jean_La]

I cannot remember the name of the campground Dunnie, but some station had the owner on and she spoke well of the family.

Hunter Lake Campground
Parksville, NY

[Pat]

Does anyone know about how long it should have taken Diane to get them home from the campground? I have been looking and haven't come acrossed it yet.

I remember reading the trip took a couple hours longer than it should have. The husband's PI claims there is a "missing" 1 1/2 hours he's trying to account for.

Maybe I've read too much and lived too long, but hiring a lawyer of the caliber of his and getting a PI involved before an investigation by LE is even over, and with his son so injured, just doesn't sit right. Seems he didn't even take the time to deal with the shock and grief over it all before he's thinking of lawsuits. A simple statement from his lawyer saying they were "shocked", would be looking into the entire matter, and done without a press conference would have been more dignified. Stating there would be no questions taken about the MJ use set a bad tone. If the lawyer had just released a statement, there would have been no questions to deal with on camera. All my opinion, of course.

The lawyer's statements smack of desperation to avoid the truth...and lawsuits.

[Why]

What bothers me is why didn't she listen to her brother? Her brother told her to wait and he'd go get her. Why did she not listen to him? She gets rid of her cellphone and drives off. :sad:

The more that I think about it, the more I believe that this was a suicide mission. The act of throwing the phone out the window is one indication. Most people would simply stop answering the phone versus throwing it away. She probably threw it out of the window because she did not want to be derailed from her mission and she knew that she would not need the phone anymore anyway. It was stated that she was so frugal that she would carry around one bottle of vodka between home and camp versus buying one to keep at camp while keeping the other at home. Yet she would throw out a cell phone and would have to buy another one later. It is quite possible that a cell phone would cost more than an extra bottle of vodka.

Also, if she truly was not a heavy drinker (according to family), I think that this particular day she was drinking to work up the nerve to kill herself and the kids. She either did not care who she took with her or she was angry enough with the brother to murder the kids as well (or both). There is no telling what might have been going on in the family (brother, husband, etc.). Who knows, she may have even had the niece to call her dad. She may have wanted the brother to know exactly what was going on. The brother may have been trying to talk her out of it. Never know but the brother would never admit it.

[lunchlady]

I'm a latecomer on this thread. Has anyone discussed the possibility of deliberate suicide/homicide? And the liquor and pot as a courage-builder to do the deed?
A woman her age who has drinking experience, which seems to be the case in spite of her husband's protests, would know how vodka and pot would affect her driving. A throwing her cell phone out the window seems like an angry thing to do.
Why would she do such a thing? Why does anyone do such things? A lot of people are pretty crazy inside, at least once in awhile, and who knows what list of things she had in her mind to be bummed out about.

I once went onto a freeway the wrong way, late at night and lost in a confusing neighborhood, and the offramp looked like a normal road where I entered it; fortunately for me the cars stopped for me while I turned my car around- very lucky for me and still a frightening memory. I went back to that place later and saw the sign I missed, but it was hard to see at best. My memory of the Taconic is that the onramps and offramps are angled very differently, but the thing is fairly long and I don't remember them all. She was driving in the daytime so wouldn't have that excuse for error, even if she was

[SavannahStar]

The more that I think about it, the more I believe that this was a suicide mission. The act of throwing the phone out the window is one indication. Most people would simply stop answering the phone versus throwing it away. She probably threw it out of the window because she did not want to be derailed from her mission and she knew that she would not need the phone anymore anyway. It was stated that she was so frugal that she would carry around one bottle of vodka between home and camp versus buying one to keep at camp while keeping the other at home. Yet she would throw out a cell phone and would have to buy another one later. It is quite possible that a cell phone would cost more than an extra bottle of vodka.

Also, if she truly was not a heavy drinker (according to family), I think that this particular day she was drinking to work up the nerve to kill herself and the kids. She either did not care who she took with her or she was angry enough with the brother to murder the kids as well (or both). There is no telling what might have been going on in the family (brother, husband, etc.). Who knows, she may have even had the niece to call her dad. She may have wanted the brother to know exactly what was going on. The brother may have been trying to talk her out of it. Never know but the brother would never admit it.

Bolding and underlining mine, for my response.

You know, you raise some very good points. I like your post....it's really something to think about.

I've NOT been convinced that the husband was "hiding" anything as far as her drinking. And your scenario would answer for that.

[Heidi J.]

Please! Daniel states in his defense of his wife that they're near tea totalers. The same bottle of Vodka being transported back and forth to the campsite for the entire season.

That's NOT what he said.. you are taking it out of context. He said he has never seen her drunk and they drink rarely"She was not an alcoholic," Daniel Schuler said. "I never saw her drunk since the day I met her."Link (http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/daniel-schuler-my-wife-was-not-a-drunk-1.1352394)

Well, Daniel isn't being straight with us, is he? He has his own history that contradicts his accounting.

People who never or rarely drink, are very clear on the fact they're not in any shape to drive after having that one or two glasses of wine at a wedding.Not true. I have friends that rarely drink, and think they are fine to drive, but are thankful we take their keys away

People who are accustomed to having a drink or two, get in a car and drive, they're certain they're not "under the influence".

A poster made the comment yesterday that went unnoticed, I think. If the same bottle of vodka went back and forth week after week to the campgrounds, it's because Diane was refilling it. IMO I noticed it, and it could be true. We don't know..Her husband may not have realized it either.. so maybe he is telling the truth. But getting a DWI 14 years ago doesn't show anything, except he made a stupid mistake

If Daniel really didn't know she had a problem, it very well could have been without his knowledge. But near temperance, is not a valid description of their lives. Huh?? he didn't know but did??

It's what he and the family originally stated, but it's not true. Daniel is now changing the story, as more information comes out from acquaintances. Perhaps, they are scared. From all the people that knew her, she was a loving a devoted mom. Then to have this horrible accident happen, then the toxicology reports come out.. Let's put your family under a microscope for the whole world to analyze and see how rosy out comes out..

The vodka is/was his, because he liked to knock one back every now and then. But the S-I-L admits the pina coladas would be flowing at the family cookouts & the "drinking buddy" from work says Diane liked her vodka. "If we had a family barbecue, we would make one blender of piña coladas," Jay said.Link (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,538485,00.html)Let's not make up facts.. the media does enough of that.

All the while you can't get around the fact that a non drinker doesn't start slugging a bottle of vodka while driving & clearly the only way to end up with undigested vodka in your stomach after 4 hours on the road, is if you were drinking while behind the wheel.

I am not defending these people, I don't know any more then any one else on this board.. I can't get over the vodka in her system.. I just can't grasp a good explanation for it. :crying: But something is just off..

[SavannahStar]

I am not defending these people, I don't know any more then any one else on this board.. I can't get over the vodka in her system.. I just can't grasp a good explanation for it. :crying: But something is just off..


I agree. And I agree with all your posts here.

As I posted way earlier, I do NOT believe this case is just so cut and dried as some are thinking....

[curiousD]

Im not sure i think it was a suicide mission..I think its exactly as it appears..She was drunk and confused and whining like some drunks do and she drove the wrong way..simply out of confusion..and drunkenness. I agree with whoever above said the drunks think they are fine to drive!! They will sit and tell you with a straight face they are good drivers when they have been drinking. IMO the husband is a drunk too, thats why he thinks she didnt have a problem..drunks dont think they have a problem. Im not an angel..i did my fair share of drinking in my earlier years, but once i had kids it stopped..I never took a dam bottle of vodka on a camping trip with my kids! It would have never occurred to us..We never kept alcohol in the house..well still dont with teenagers. I never wanted to mix up the practicing and preaching with my kids. You can hardly nag your teens about drinking and driving if you are doing it yourself!
Im not trying to sound holier than thou..but its just wasnt the norm for us to include alcohol in family camping trips..nor was it the norm for the other families that went with us.

There are horrifying statistics of how many people on the road every day are impaired by alcohol and drugs..And apparently its really increasing in women. Watch your local news..even the cops are getting dui's.
Its ridiculous.

[Why]

Bolding and underlining mine, for my response.

You know, you raise some very good points. I like your post....it's really something to think about.

I've NOT been convinced that the husband was "hiding" anything as far as her drinking. And your scenario would answer for that.

After looking at the timeline, I'm even more convinced that this was suicide.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

Diane did not enter the ramp the wrong way after throwing the cell phone out. She actually continues south on the Parkway. She drives for a bit then exits off and turns up the exit ramp. Why would she intentionally exit and immediately go up the exit ramp?

[annalyzer]

After looking at the timeline, I'm even more convinced that this was suicide.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

Diane did not enter the ramp the wrong way after throwing the cell phone out. She actually continues south on the Parkway. She drives for a bit then exits off and turns up the exit ramp. Why would she intentionally exit and immediately go up the exit ramp?


Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

[R~O~S]

I am not defending these people, I don't know any more then any one else on this board.. I can't get over the vodka in her system.. I just can't grasp a good explanation for it. :crying: But something is just off..

Very first paragraph of your own link:

They're no teetotalers.

Despite previous claims of almost Lenten temperance, Schuler family members are now admitting that they're not shy about knocking back a couple of piña coladas or keeping a big bottle of vodka close at hand.

As I said, as the truth comes out from others, Daniel's story evolves.

There's one truth, it doesn't change as more information comes available. It's either shown to be true by that information, or shown to be inaccurate as it has here.

[curiousD]

Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

it looks like she was driving the whole time except for the stops at McDonalds and the stop to call her brother.

[Heidi J.]

Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

I don't think we want to believe she would do this.. BTW.. her niece called her dad.:crying:

[R~O~S]

it looks like she was driving the whole time except for the stops at McDonalds and the stop to call her brother.

I don't think she called her brother. I think the his daughter did, daddy told her to let him talk to Auntie Diane, which in turn probably resulted in a few call backs as she got angry with him and hung up. IMO

It's come out there were three calls to her brother, the father of the three little girls killed.

[Heidi J.]

I agree. And I agree with all your posts here.

As I posted way earlier, I do NOT believe this case is just so cut and dried as some are thinking....

So true.. something is missing.

[annalyzer]

I don't think we want to believe she would do this.. BTW.. her niece called her dad.:crying:


Yes, you're right. I don't want to believe it. :crying:

[Pat]

Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

1. Another question is...if she was feeling sick and disoriented, why didn't she stay put like her brother asked, and why did she get rid of the phone? She then had no means of communication to get help if she was "sick".

2. She had undigested alcohol in her stomach. The autopsy report on the MJ and alcohol content in her blood have been posted many times.

3. That is a very good question. At some point we are going to find out. I am sure LE is looking into that as we speak.

Odd we've heard nothing more about the husband's fishing trip. Where he actually went...did anyone see him. (Not that I really question it, but usually these details are all over the place.)

[curiousD]

I might have missed it somewhere..but what has the brother said? I know he discussed the phone call and said she should wait and he will come to her but has he said she was a "drinker"?
Didn't her coworker or friend say she liked her vodka?

Well more and more info will come out I suppose...we will never really know what happened I dont think.
I suppose if she was a big drinker the BAC could have been showing what was left from the night before. it could be that her liver wasnt filtering the alcohol as well anymore..but that doesn't explain the vodka in her stomach.
I work with a lady that comes to early morning meetings reeking of alcohol..She isnt drunk but its just permeating out of her pores I think.


did they find liver damage in her autopsy? The ME could tell if she was a long time alcohol abuser.

[Heidi J.]

Very first paragraph of your own link:



As I said, as the truth comes out from others, Daniel's story evolves.

There's one truth, it doesn't change as more information comes available. It's either shown to be true by that information, or shown to be inaccurate as it has here.

I don't think it is that they are lying... I just think they had no idea this would happen, and are trying to protect Diane.:crying:

[Why]

Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

Unless she was in a terrible rush and southbound traffic was going too slowly for her taste. She then decides to use the northbound lanes to go south (assuming there was less traffic on the northbound side).

[Dunlurken]

Geez, if you're going to commit suicide, why take your 2 year old with you and leave the son maimed?

She was a drunk. JMO. And the husband is in major denial.

[R~O~S]

I don't think it is that they are lying... I just think they had no idea this would happen, and are trying to protect Diane.:crying:

We can call it anything you'd like. Lots of folks have used the word denial.

As for he knew, but he didn't know: I was talking about if she had a problem. He may have known she drank, but didn't know it was a problem, especially to this level. She could hide that by refilling the same bottle again and again. Daniel unaware of the refills.

I don't care what we call it, but what I know is that someone who doesn't drink as a normal course of behavior doesn't start swigging vodka straight from the bottle while driving a car, packed with little kids, early in the day.

She started out at about 9:30, the trip shouldn't have taken more than 90 minutes. The first call was made to her brother before 1:00 and she crashed about 1:30.

ETA: & I don't really believe he's trying to protect Diane. Right now his bigger concern is whether he will be allowed to keep custody of his son & the inevitable lawsuits from the families of the three men killed when she hit them.

[ttcRider]

I might have missed it somewhere..but what has the brother said? I know he discussed the phone call and said she should wait and he will come to her but has he said she was a "drinker"?
Didn't her coworker or friend say she liked her vodka?

Well more and more info will come out I suppose...we will never really know what happened I dont think.
I suppose if she was a big drinker the BAC could have been showing what was left from the night before. it could be that her liver wasnt filtering the alcohol as well anymore..but that doesn't explain the vodka in her stomach.
I work with a lady that comes to early morning meetings reeking of alcohol..She isnt drunk but its just permeating out of her pores I think.

did they find liver damage in her autopsy? The ME could tell if she was a long time alcohol abuser.

Its amazing how many 'functioning' alcoholics there are out there going to work each day and drinking all day while doing it. You would only notice if they DIDN'T have a drink yet. :mad:

[Dunlurken]

I posted yesterday about a movie..... couldn't think of the name at the time. It's called "When a man loves a woman" with Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. She was a big time alcoholoic, used to hide her bottles, etc. Hubbie never knew. Worth watching. JMO.

[curiousD]

This whole thing makes me want to crusade for MADD....
When my sons were smaller our boy scout troop went to the annual MADD vigil..It was heartbreaking...It made me actually sick and I dreaded it..
Now its just making me mad....so much anguish over one persons drinking. ugggghgghgh:cursing:

[curiousD]

Its amazing how many 'functioning' alcoholics there are out there going to work each day and drinking all day while doing it. You would only notice if they DIDN'T have a drink yet. :mad:

you are so right......

[jaxback]

The timeline indicates that she began her erratic driving that other drivers noticed (straddling lanes, beeping her horn) within a fairly short time after leaving the campground and then McDonalds. About the same distance again and she is seen crossing a grass divider, and then in what looks like a little less distance she makes the call and loses the phone.

If she was impaired from the previous night, then her first drink(s) that morning would have had an immediate impact on her driving and her perception. And since it looks like the impariment happened fast, I'm guessing she was still under the influence when she woke up that morning. Or she was sneaking drinks before she even left the campground.

Why does everyone assume she threw the phone out of the van? I think it's just as likely that she dropped it and didn't even know she had, then drove off.

[Why]

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090806/news/908069951&tc=yahoo

Last night Lady_Jean_La posted a link to a similar case (no alcohol though) where everything seemed normal. Sometimes split second decisions are made that don't make sense. Diane may have decided to end it all. Here is the link again to a lady who attempted to kill herself in traffic but only her kids and nephew died along with the passengers in the car that she hit.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/...69951&tc=yahoo

[curiousD]

The timeline indicates that she began her erratic driving that other drivers noticed (straddling lanes, beeping her horn) within a fairly short time after leaving the campground and then McDonalds. About the same distance again and she is seen crossing a grass divider, and then in what looks like a little less distance she makes the call and loses the phone.

If she was impaired from the previous night, then her first drink(s) that morning would have had an immediate impact on her driving and her perception. And since it looks like the impariment happened fast, I'm guessing she was still under the influence when she woke up that morning. Or she was sneaking drinks before she even left the campground.

Why does everyone assume she threw the phone out of the van? I think it's just as likely that she dropped it and didn't even know she had, then drove off.


good point..i dont think she threw the phone..I think she either dropped it or left it behind in her drunken stupor..
Perhaps there isn't more to the story and she is just a drunk..irresponsible know it all drunk that killed 8 people..
Sadly, shes not the first one, and wont be the last.

[Pomme]

From my own experience, you can smell vodka on some people - it's not always odorless if they've been drinking a lot of it.
Also, I believe there is a way to determine long-time alcohol abuse by certain tests on the liver.

In my own gut, I feel that she committed suicide in a very rash act. If it was planned, then I hope she rots in h*ll. But I don't think it was - it feels crazed to me.

Of course I know nothing more than anyone else at this point. I truly hope some sense can come out of this senselessness. I pray for all who lost someone in this disaster. No matter what the explanation is, innocent people and children are dead and those left behind have to live with their loss.

[jaxback]

good point..i dont think she threw the phone..I think she either dropped it or left it behind in her drunken stupor..
Perhaps there isn't more to the story and she is just a drunk..irresponsible know it all drunk that killed 8 people..
Sadly, shes not the first one, and wont be the last.

I have a feeling it may prove to be just that tragically simple. :sad:

[Why]

From my own experience, you can smell vodka on some people - it's not always odorless if they've been drinking a lot of it.
Also, I believe there is a way to determine long-time alcohol abuse by certain tests on the liver.

In my own gut, I feel that she committed suicide in a very rash act. If it was planned, then I hope she rots in h*ll. But I don't think it was - it feels crazed to me.

Of course I know nothing more than anyone else at this point. I truly hope some sense can come out of this senselessness. I pray for all who lost someone in this disaster. No matter what the explanation is, innocent people and children are dead and those left behind have to live with their loss.

I am leaning toward suicide as well and it may have something to do with the husbands "fishing" trip. Maybe she found out there was another woman and if she was already unhappy, this knowledge could have thrown her into a tailspin. At that point, she probably didn't care about herself or the kids. I don't believe that she planned the suicide but the more she drank and the more that she thought about it, she just decided to do it.

[Lady_Jean_La]

Does anyone know about how long it should have taken Diane to get them home from the campground? I have been looking and haven't come acrossed it yet.IIRC about 120 miles, they stiopped at McDonalds and stopped again at a rest stop. I'm guessing less than 4 hours.

[Lavinia]

First responders horror:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/08/09/2009-08-09_the_worst_thing_ive_ever_seen_rescuers_hit_hard _by_images_of_dying_kids.html

[Lavinia]

The story of a closet drinker:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/08/08/2009-08-08_drinkers_double_life_.html

[Lady_Jean_La]

I'm a latecomer on this thread. Has anyone discussed the possibility of deliberate suicide/homicide? And the liquor and pot as a courage-builder to do the deed?
A woman her age who has drinking experience, which seems to be the case in spite of her husband's protests, would know how vodka and pot would affect her driving. A throwing her cell phone out the window seems like an angry thing to do.
Why would she do such a thing? Why does anyone do such things? A lot of people are pretty crazy inside, at least once in awhile, and who knows what list of things she had in her mind to be bummed out about.

I once went onto a freeway the wrong way, late at night and lost in a confusing neighborhood, and the offramp looked like a normal road where I entered it; fortunately for me the cars stopped for me while I turned my car around- very lucky for me and still a frightening memory. I went back to that place later and saw the sign I missed, but it was hard to see at best. My memory of the Taconic is that the onramps and offramps are angled very differently, but the thing is fairly long and I don't remember them all. She was driving in the daytime so wouldn't have that excuse for error, even if she was

IIRC in one of the articles it mentions she drove across a grassy area. Either intentional or she was completely confused.

[curiousD]

She worked for Cablevision which is a pretty big company out there.

I'd like to hear from more of her co-workers.

imo

me too...lets get the details from the people who worked with her everyday..the neighbors...the fellow bar patrons (only half kidding there)....
we need some opinions of the people that knew her besides her immediate family.

[AlohaRainbow]

The timeline indicates that she began her erratic driving that other drivers noticed (straddling lanes, beeping her horn) within a fairly short time after leaving the campground and then McDonalds. About the same distance again and she is seen crossing a grass divider, and then in what looks like a little less distance she makes the call and loses the phone.
*snip*

if others saw her driving erraticially that early on (iirc, she left mcdonald's around 10:30-10:45).. did any of those drivers call 911 to report her?

[jaxback]

if others saw her driving erraticially that early on (iirc, she left mcdonald's around 10:30-10:45).. did any of those drivers call 911 to report her?

I read that she had been reported by several callers, but I don't know if it was early on, or when she was going the wrong way on the highway.

[R~O~S]

if others saw her driving erraticially that early on (iirc, she left mcdonald's around 10:30-10:45).. did any of those drivers call 911 to report her?

There were at least six calls to 911 reporting her erratic driving. I don't think we know the times on them though.

[daniel green]

I read upthread where someone said if they were responsible for killing 7 people, they would hope they died too. I agree 100%. This woman killed her own 2 year old daughter due to her alcohol abuse.

I'm curious if people think the THC had anything to do with it, or was it the combination of the two? Or just the alcohol? Probably both.

How can you go the wrong way on a freeway? I guess if you're drunk, anything is possible. :confused:

If one is under the influence.

I kinda remember Nicole Ritchie going the wrong way on an xpress way, being arrested and they found she was drunk and had vicodin.

Locally, I have read about ppl under the influence driving the wrong way. It has happened here in the last few years, tragically.

[ttcRider]

If one is under the influence.

I kinda remember Nicole Ritchie going the wrong way on an xpress way, being arrested and they found she was drunk and had vicodin.

Locally, I have read about ppl under the influence driving the wrong way. It has happened here in the last few years, tragically.

It happens without alcohol as a factor as well... some people just get confused with road signs. It happens all the time sadly enough.

[daniel green]

Interesting, he has own DWI....albeit it was in 1995 but still.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08092009/news/regionalnews/taconic_crash_moms_husband_has_own_dwi_183718.htm

I wonder if he was high and drunk himself on that day and that's why he didn't take the kids.

OMG, that could be true. That he was drunk as well.

[jaxback]

There were at least six calls to 911 reporting her erratic driving. I don't think we know the times on them though.

I just went and read some of the articles and it sounds like all those calls were made when she was driving the wrong way, right before the crash.

[daniel green]

I agree. And I agree with all your posts here.

As I posted way earlier, I do NOT believe this case is just so cut and dried as some are thinking....

Hey, you! Good to see you. There is a great article in the Charlotte Observer today about a CSI unit set up to investigate drug fighting rings and I thought about you. Will find it online and PM it to you.

[Lavinia]

From what I remember, wasn't the driving in the grass divider, right after she left the McDonalds, early on in the trip?

[daniel green]

I don't think she called her brother. I think the his daughter did, daddy told her to let him talk to Auntie Diane, which in turn probably resulted in a few call backs as she got angry with him and hung up. IMO

It's come out there were three calls to her brother, the father of the three little girls killed.

I quite agree.

[jaxback]

From what I remember, wasn't the driving in the grass divider, right after she left the McDonalds, early on in the trip?

:seeya: Hey you. No, that was the first instance of people noticing that she was driving erratically. That was about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way into the entire trip. The divider incident was another third of the way again (at least that's how it looks on the map provided).

[Details]

I googled Diane Schuler and read the various articles. One said he called immediately after the phone call at 1:00PM and that two Troopers were assigned to looking for the car. The brother got in his car and was driving toward the bridge looking for her. Another timeline stated he called at 1:35PM. I don't know which is true and I quess that will come out from the Police.I always assume it's the better one, until that's proven false - so my assumption will be that he did call right away. Glad to hear that. Likely there were two phone calls, and that's the source of the confusion.

[daniel green]

http://www.newsday.com/columnists/joye-brown/diane-schuler-no-longer-a-victim-1.1349200

[daniel green]

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/08/09/2009-08-09_the_worst_thing_ive_ever_seen_rescuers_hit_hard _by_images_of_dying_kids.html

[taylor63]

I am going to reserve final judgement on this case until more facts come out,but sadly at this point I am leaning towards a murder/suicide. I hope and pray I am proven wrong. I would hate to think a mother who has been described as loving and devoted could do something like this to her own children.

There are several reasons as to why I suspect this could have been a murder/suicide. First,the vodka bottle in the car,and the friend who said she was her "drinking buddy" who said this woman complained about how *unhappy* she was in her marriage, and last but not least her tossing the cellphone out the window like she was angry at her brother, or niece sadly makes me think this.

If this was a murder/suicide I sure wouldn't want to be that woman when she has to face her creator. If she just wanted to end her own life that's one thing,but why take all those innocent people including her own children and nieces with her? What a horribly selfish and cruel thing to do.

[ruth66]

I don't think she called her brother. I think the his daughter did, daddy told her to let him talk to Auntie Diane, which in turn probably resulted in a few call backs as she got angry with him and hung up. IMO

It's come out there were three calls to her brother, the father of the three little girls killed.

That was my thought also, I think the neice got frightened and asked if she could call her father. Her brother asking her to pull off the road and wait for him may have angered her and that is why she threw the telephone out the window. I am not ready to call it suicide but I do think she was very angry that someone would question her driving ability. I can't imagine what her brother is going through, knowing that your sister caused the death of ALL your children. This is all too tragic.

[Nellie]

I drove drunk when I was 18.. never have I done it since..I drink maybe a total of 1 day every 3 months.. I don't think I am abusing alcohol..jmo

That's fine. But, imo,you did abuse alcohol when you were 18 and drove drunk. You were fortunate you didn't wreck and kill yourself and others.

[Lavinia]

:seeya: Hey you. No, that was the first instance of people noticing that she was driving erratically. That was about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way into the entire trip. The divider incident was another third of the way again (at least that's how it looks on the map provided).

Thanks SugarPlum! I wonder if the autopsy will be released anytime soon? Florida cases have me spoiled rotten for information release.

[Lavinia]

Any idea how long Police were trying to find her car from the 911 callers? Did they use a helicopter or put up an alert? This seems to have gone on for a long time. I know nothing about finding reported cars except what I see on the TV.

I haven't seen anything reported ABC. I'm still slogging through reports though.

[jaxback]

Thanks SugarPlum! I wonder if the autopsy will be released anytime soon? Florida cases have me spoiled rotten for information release.

We do love those Sunshine Laws, don't we?:wink:

[Katt2]

I just went and read some of the articles and it sounds like all those calls were made when she was driving the wrong way, right before the crash.

All of the calls could not have been reported when she was going the wrong way because it was reported she was tailgating. She surely couldn't do that with oncoming traffic.

[jaxback]

All of the calls could not have been reported when she was going the wrong way because it was reported she was tailgating. She surely couldn't do that with oncoming traffic.

Thanks Katt. That means there were some much earlier calls - I wonder if the HP put out an alert or sent out officers at that point?

[Nellie]

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/08/09/2009-08-09_the_worst_thing_ive_ever_seen_rescuers_hit_hard _by_images_of_dying_kids.html

Those poor children suffered.....this indicates that some didn't die instantly. So, so sad. And I believe they lived in total horror and fear before the crash. I'm just sickened by this crash.

And I really don't understand why some are having such a hard time believing a mom could drink and drive and kill others. It's happened before. People drink and drive and kill. Even mothers. Even good mothers who love their children.

[Lavinia]

We do love those Sunshine Laws, don't we?:wink:

:laugh: YES we DO! The contrast is amazing.

[daniel green]

snipped

And I really don't understand why some are having such a hard time believing a mom could drink and drive and kill others. It's happened before. People drink and drive and kill. Even mothers. Even good mothers who love their children.

Tragically, it happens all the time. It just makes me sick.

[Lady_Jean_La]

Oh I don't believe for a minute it was suicide. And take out her children and her nieces with her? If she was suicidal then why call her brother and say she felt disoriented? Why would she drive with lights flashing and horn honking?

I hope they get to the bottom of this because I'm not buying that she was chugging vodka on the way home. At least not yet.

Have they ever figured out why it was four hours after leaving the campground that she wrecked? Where was she and the children in the time not accounted for?

The lights flashing and horn honking bothered me until I read an article that clearly stated it was the other cars. That is completely reasonable that the drivers seeing her coming would flash their lights and honk their horns.

That is the problem with early reports, the reporters often make errors in telling us what they think happened. imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

if others saw her driving erraticially that early on (iirc, she left mcdonald's around 10:30-10:45).. did any of those drivers call 911 to report her?

IIRC 6 calls.

[Nellie]

This story would have dissapeared from the Headlines..chalked up as "another horrible tragedy caused by a drunk driver" had the husband not come forward with his lawyer to protest the Vodka findings.
That is what is keeping the story alive and the discussion going.....
So, the question in my mind is...."why does he protest so loudly"?

[Details]

Geez, if you're going to commit suicide, why take your 2 year old with you and leave the son maimed?

She was a drunk. JMO. And the husband is in major denial.Some commit suicide to take themselves out - self-pity type reasons - that type would not take others along. Others do it as a "so there" - a means of hurting people as deeply as possible by blaming them for their own death - that type of suicide might even want to take the kids along, or not care.

[R~O~S]

Some commit suicide to take themselves out - self-pity type reasons - that type would not take others along. Others do it as a "so there" - a means of hurting people as deeply as possible by blaming them for their own death - that type of suicide might even want to take the kids along, or not care.

There's also the one who is going to take his/her own life, but can't leave the children behind in this terrible world, especially if the reason they're taking their own life is a source of shame, like illegal activity soon to be discovered, business failure, that kind of thing. Shame that would impact the children after they're gone.

[Lady_Jean_La]

http://www.newsday.com/columnists/joye-brown/diane-schuler-no-longer-a-victim-1.1349200

The article indicates she was flashing lights, honking horn and passing on the right. It is easier for me to believe other articles which say other drivers were doing that. imo

[n/t]

I don't think she called her brother. I think the his daughter did, daddy told her to let him talk to Auntie Diane, which in turn probably resulted in a few call backs as she got angry with him and hung up. IMO

It's come out there were three calls to her brother, the father of the three little girls killed.

This article says there were 2 outgoing and 2 incoming calls. Details at the link

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/private-investigator-schuler-s-cell-made-2-calls-got-2-1.1357864

[Lady_Jean_La]

Any idea how long Police were trying to find her car from the 911 callers? Did they use a helicopter or put up an alert? This seems to have gone on for a long time. I know nothing about finding reported cars except what I see on the TV.

IIRC there were two cars waiting for her.

[n/t]

The article indicates she was flashing lights, honking horn and passing on the right. It is easier for me to believe other articles which say other drivers were doing that. imo

#3 - Route 17.

She was going the right of way when she was spotted flashing lights, honking her horn and tailgating
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

[n/t]

IIRC 6 calls.

Wrong. The 6 calls from drivers were made when she was on the Taconic Parkway going the wrong way.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

[SavannahStar]

Hey, you! Good to see you. There is a great article in the Charlotte Observer today about a CSI unit set up to investigate drug fighting rings and I thought about you. Will find it online and PM it to you.


I know you mean dog-fighting rings, daniel.....:smile:...saw your thread.....thank you!!!!!! Good to see you too!

[n/t]

IIRC there were two cars waiting for her.

Can I ask where you're getting your information? :confused:

[Why]

There's also the one who is going to take his/her own life, but can't leave the children behind in this terrible world, especially if the reason they're taking their own life is a source of shame, like illegal activity soon to be discovered, business failure, that kind of thing. Shame that would impact the children after they're gone.

I am lead to believe that something sparked it. It may be one of the things that you referenced. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if the husband was actually extending his trip with a mistress and Diane found out about it.

[daniel green]

I know you mean dog-fighting rings, daniel.....:smile:...saw your thread.....thank you!!!!!! Good to see you too!

I have lost my mind.:blushing: Yes, dog fighting.

[Lady_Jean_La]

#3 - Route 17.

She was going the right of way when she was spotted flashing lights, honking her horn and tailgating
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg
Hard to believe, a few minutes before witnesses say she was normal. imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

Can I ask where you're getting your information? :confused:

From links posted in this thread from memory. Not all links agree.

[AZCHARGED]

Those poor children suffered.....this indicates that some didn't die instantly. So, so sad. And I believe they lived in total horror and fear before the crash. I'm just sickened by this crash.

And I really don't understand why some are having such a hard time believing a mom could drink and drive and kill others. It's happened before. People drink and drive and kill. Even mothers. Even good mothers who love their children.

Yes, and I've been thinking of another "great" mother -- and I even hesitate to use that word mother -- Susan Smith. Just the thought of her makes me want to hurl.

[Lady_Jean_La]

#3 - Route 17.

She was going the right of way when she was spotted flashing lights, honking her horn and tailgating
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg

#4 That looks like she turned WEST not EAST

#5 That looks like EAST not SOUTH

[Pat]

If the brother knew what started her frenzy (fight with her husband, rage, etc.) I wonder if he would ever tell. Bottom line is this woman drove drunk and was using MJ while she had a van full of young children.

Can you imagine what the brother's poor wife must be going through? There is no blood-tie there that would make her want to protect her sister-in-law's name, or protect her brother-in-law if he knew his wife was drinking and let her drive that day. Can you imagine her rage over the senseless deaths of her three little girls?

If she knows anything, I predict she won't keep quite forever.

[Lady_Jean_La]

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-diane-schuler-had-10-drinks-smoked-pot-before-crash-1.1347605

Updated story - photos - video

Interview with neighbors and family

Nothing really new here but it does put it all together.

AP

[Lady_Jean_La]

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/sister-in-law-of-daniel-schuler-speaks-out-1.1354143

Sister-in-law of Daniel Schuler Speaks Out

Answers some questions as far as cars and who went where.

[Why]

If the brother knew what started her frenzy (fight with her husband, rage, etc.) I wonder if he would ever tell. Bottom line is this woman drove drunk and was using MJ while she had a van full of young children.

Can you imagine what the brother's poor wife must be going through? There is no blood-tie there that would make her want to protect her sister-in-law's name, or protect her brother-in-law if he knew his wife was drinking and let her drive that day. Can you imagine her rage over the senseless deaths of her three little girls?

If she knows anything, I predict she won't keep quite forever.

Good observation. The first one to scream out may be the girls mother or if Daniel has a girlfriend, we might hear from her.

[daniel green]

http://www.examiner.com/x-14537-Albany-CPS-and-Family-Court-Examiner~y2009m8d8-Child-Protective-Services-to-investigate-Daniel-Schuler-for-wifes-fatal-DWI-crash-on-Taconic

[R~O~S]

#4 That looks like she turned WEST not EAST

#5 That looks like EAST not SOUTH


#4 If you look at the road, the general direction is east, although you're correct, initially it takes her west to go east.

#5 At the edge of the black square she turns south at the end of the bridge & almost immediately turns north as she enters the Saw Mill River Pkwy.

NSEW on a roadway refers to the general direction of the road, it doesn't mean the road continually goes in that direction. If it did we'd have completely perfect geometric grids for roads, which of course we don't. Rivers, mountains and cities tend to get in the way of that type of planning.

[daniel green]

Good observation. The first one to scream out may be the girls mother or if Daniel has a girlfriend, we might hear from her.

There is absolutely nothing to even have one speculate on a g/f.

[Lady_Jean_La]

#4 If you look at the road, the general direction is east, although you're correct, initially it takes her west to go east.

#5 At the edge of the black square she turns south at the end of the bridge & almost immediately turns north as she enters the Saw Mill River Pkwy.

NSEW on a roadway refers to the general direction of the road, it doesn't mean the road continually goes in that direction. If it did we'd have completely perfect geometric grids for roads, which of course we don't. Rivers, mountains and cities tend to get in the way of that type of planning.

Near where the accident occurred the roads look very confusing to me. A very congested area though not much traffic. However, she had driven it many times and should be familiar unless there was some sort of detour. imo

I see there is a story of a woman going the wrong way in the same area today.

[Why]

There is absolutely nothing to even have one speculate on a g/f.

He may not have one but anything is possible. Sometimes women will go crazy finding out about a mistress or finding out that a a guy is still fooling around with an old mistress. It just seems to me that something set her off that day.

[Lady_Jean_La]

#4 If you look at the road, the general direction is east, although you're correct, initially it takes her west to go east.

#5 At the edge of the black square she turns south at the end of the bridge & almost immediately turns north as she enters the Saw Mill River Pkwy.

NSEW on a roadway refers to the general direction of the road, it doesn't mean the road continually goes in that direction. If it did we'd have completely perfect geometric grids for roads, which of course we don't. Rivers, mountains and cities tend to get in the way of that type of planning.

#7 six phone calls to 911

That's where I saw it.

[daniel green]

He may not have one but anything is possible. Sometimes women will go crazy finding out about a mistress or finding out that a a guy is still fooling around with an old mistress. It just seems to me that something set her off that day.

Well, it's possible that she saw an extra-terrestial on the road that day. I think it is totally crazy to start adding suppositions of any and all things.

No alcoholic needs to be "set off."

[henry]

Near where the accident occurred the roads look very confusing to me. A very congested area though not much traffic. However, she had driven it many times and should be familiar unless there was some sort of detour. imo

I see there is a story of a woman going the wrong way in the same area today.

from the link . . . the narrative on #6 is wrong - rt. 87 does not pass by briarcliff manor.

if she were heading to long island, she should have continued south & then east . . . long island is where #8 narrative is.

i am assuming that she would have not driven the area after crossing the bridge . . . it is the wrong direction if she were going home. yes, the saw mill parkway is congested - 2 lanes, a very windy highway . . . but the taconic parkway is not congested.

oops . . . here's the link . . . http://www.nypost.com/seven/08052009/photos/the_path_to_destruction.jpg