Diane Schuler is a name that reminds people about a sorrowful incident. Some of the horrible tragedies in history still make the heart melt for everyone who hears it. One such decades old tragic event still confuses people. All was great for the PTA mom Diane Schuler and her family until they get into a serious accident. This accident took place in 2009 when Warren Hance receives a phone call from his sister Diane Schuler. However, Diane did not speak on the phone it was his own daughter Emma.
This little girl did explain how her aunty is facing trouble when driving. She mentions about Diane has blurry vision that makes it impossible to drive. After a few minutes, Diane also starts to explain she is not able to see the road ahead due to foggy vision. As there are children in the car with Dianne, the brother Hance got worried.
He also advises her to pull off somewhere safe. When Hance finally arrives at the location he only hears about a tragic crash near the horizon. It is still a heart-piercing tragedy that makes everyone upset. Let us see what happens to Diane Schuler and the girls when they encounter an accident that cost their lives.
The historic crash that cost eight lives
People still remember Westchester County for its tragic automobile accident that cost 20 lives. After this incident, no one wanted to hear about another tragic accident in the County. Unfortunately car crash of Diane Schuler did happen that breaks the heart of the people. All this started when Diane goes on a camping trip with her family. Her husband and nieces were having a great time on the trip. Also, the family prepares to leave the camp and head to Babylon West the other day.
Around 9.30 in the morning Diane, two children and three nieces step out in a 2004 model minivan. Her husband follows her in another truck with their dog. On their way, Diane takes out the children to McDonald’s, fills up the gas and enjoys the road trip. It was at 11 Am all the tragedies start to happen for the family. Diane continues driving to New York but gets stuck in heavy traffic. She also informs her brother about the delay.
For Dianne, it was a normal day but some of the eyewitnesses that day say otherwise. Many motorcyclists and vehicles did notice the Diane van for some reason. They notice the minivan as they see someone driving it aggressively. They could also see that it was a woman driving who is also honking loudly and using headlight flashes throughout the day. Some even report that they have seen a woman on the minivan pulling aside and vomiting.
This is when Hance receives a phone call from his daughter about her aunty Dianne. Soon after Hance advised Diane to pull over the phone and hangs up. But, 911 receive an emergency call about a minivan driving in the wrong way on Taconic parkway. The van was travelling 80 miles on the wrong way on that road. Furthermore, in just a few minutes the minivan crashes with a Chevrolet Trailblazer around 1 Pm. All these tragic events happen within just three minutes on the road.
The fatalities in the brutal crash
It was no doubt that Dianne’s minivan is the one that crashes severely with another vehicle. The police receive a report about 11 fatalities at the scene. Diane Schuler her two children and three nieces did not get any chance to survive the crash. These lives passed instantly when the crash happened. Moreover, in the investigation, they also find all the children did sit in the back of the van.
They did not wear any seatbelts at the time of the crash. The Trailblazer passengers were three people who also passed away immediately in this accident. Wearing seatbelts could have sustained any of the people in this crash. However, the lives lost in this crash remain a sorrowful incident for the family and the entire county. Still, what is the cause of this crash is a big question that remains unsolved even today.
The reason for the Minivan crash of Diane Schuler
The witnesses of this crash come up with many details they witness at that time. Many people rush to Diane Schuler’s Minivan when they see the crash. People tried hard to get the children out of the vehicle. However, the passengers already died before anyone could help them. Some witnesses say that they did encounter a broken vodka bottle near the driver’s seat. The details by the witnesses lead to an investigation to know why all this took place.
The medical experts later reveal intoxication is the reason for this crash. Diane Schuler autopsy reveal several facts that lead to the crash. At the time of the crash, Diane was surely on alcohol. Her blood levels show alcohol which is double the amount for a driver.
Another shocking piece of evidence is that they find drugs in her system. Just before leaving she used marijuana. It all sums up with the evidence and reports of witnesses that she was feeling dizzy due to alcohol. However, Dianne’s family has another side to the story.
Evidence that proves Diane Schuler did not take alcohol or drugs
Diane Schuler’s husband did not buy any of these police reports. He confronts that Diane is a PTA teacher who was a responsible mother as well. She did not do anything that will make her lose control when driving. Especially, when having children on board Diane will not take the risk of taking shots or smoking marijuana. Many witnesses say Diane was sober. The camping ground owner says about Diane looking normal before leaving.
Even the gas station employee says that Diane was not drunk at that time. Diane did suffer from pain due to her tooth abscession. Due to this, she asks for a painkiller in the gas station. Further, a Mcdonald’s employee says that Diane did stand in the Que for a long time.
She did not seem drunk to anyone before that incident. In this case, the investigators rule out homicide and say harsh driving is the reason for the crash. However, Diane’s husband is trying to defend his wife and her reputation in this case.
Also read: Paul Walker Crash: The Tragic Accident That Cost His Life