With news that Diane Schuler was intoxicated while driving a minivan on the wrong side of the Taconic State Parkway and crashed into an SUV, killing its three passengers, relatives of the SUV's driver and a passengers are planning to file a civil suit against Schuler's family. Attorney Irving Anolik, representing the family of Guy Bastardi and his father Michael Bastardi, said that there's a "strong fragrance of criminality" and said anyone who knew of Diane Schuler's impaired condition may "possibly be an accomplice... Any person who was aware that she was drinking is an accomplice... It's hard for me to believe that the family did not know that this woman had an alcohol problem or a drug problem."
On July 26, Schuler, who was driving her two children and three nieces back to Long Island from a Sullivan County campground, had apparently been driving erratically and ultimately ended up on the wrong side of the Taconic. Schuler, her daughter Erin, and nieces Alyson, Kate, and Emma Hance, were killed, while, in an SUV driven by Guy Bastardi, the Bastardis and their friend Daniel Longo were also killed. Schuler's 5-year-old son was the only survivor.
The minivan is apparently registered to Schuler's brother—and her nieces' father—Warren Hance. Hance and his wife Jackie issued a statement today:
"In all the uncertainly and speculation as to how this accident occurred, this is the absolute last thing that we ever would've expected. We would never knowingly allow our daughters to travel with someone who might jeopardize their safety. Because we have never known Diane to be anything but a responsible and caring mother and aunt, this toxicology report raises more questions than it provides answers for our family."
The state police are continuing to investigate the crash, but said they have received "limited" information from Schuler's family. Schuler's husband Danny has reportedly hired lawyer Dominic Barbera.
