The demanding east sunset shone into husband Dan Shuler's eye lids, prying them open.
Mr. Shuler, a night watchman by trade, would be up in an instant, fully awake.
Now—with the guttural sound of bullfrogs calling for mates still filling his dreams, he made coffee for himself and his wife, who remained in a snore-filled slumber.
It had been another great weekend at Hunter Lake Campground in Parksville, New York, and now 'Danny' was more than ready to get back to town. First though, he had to get the little wife, Diane Schuler, and their daughter, and his two nieces, fully awake. And then he would be gone..leaving them all behind.
Approximately 9:30 AM on Sunday, July 26, 2009, 36-year-old Diane Schuler left the Hunter Lake Campground driving a red 2003 Ford Windstar.
Riding along with Mrs. Schuler were her 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, and her brother's three daughters (ages 8, 7, and 5).
Daniel had not waited for her. He was in a hurry, apparently—and had left the campground earlier in the morning in a separate vehicle. A co-owner of the campground later said that both Dan and Diane appeared to be sober, and it didn't look as though they had been arguing.
On the way to West Babylon, New York, Schuler stopped at a McDonald's fast-food restaurant and a gas station in Liberty, New York.
While at the gas station, my Theory is that she attempted to buy an over-the-counter map, but the store did not sell any.
While at the gas station, my Theory is that she attempted to buy an over-the-counter map, but the store did not sell any.
This is were the plot thickens.
My theory, is that Shuler was lost.
Her head was completely turned in the wrong direction—and if you ask any Woodsman, they'll tell you it's a panic-attack like situation which trumps all others. You'll not believe anything. Not your GPS nor compass. And you may even toss them both away.
Her head was completely turned in the wrong direction—and if you ask any Woodsman, they'll tell you it's a panic-attack like situation which trumps all others. You'll not believe anything. Not your GPS nor compass. And you may even toss them both away.
So, now, with the wrong direction logged firmly in her mind, Schuler left in what she felt was the right direction. She left the MacDonald restaurant and gas station in liberty just after 11 AM, traveling along Route 17/Interstate 86 and Interstate 87, entering the service area, and crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge, heading east.
Witnesses later reported seeing a red minivan driving aggressively on Route 17/Interstate 86 and Interstate 87, including aggressively tailgating, flashing headlights, honking the horn, and straddling two lanes At 11:37 AM.
Schuler stopped alongside the highway and called Warren Hance, her brother and the father of the three nieces in Schuler's car. She reportedly told him that they were being delayed by traffic.
Witnesses later reported seeing a red minivan driving aggressively on Route 17/Interstate 86 and Interstate 87, including aggressively tailgating, flashing headlights, honking the horn, and straddling two lanes At 11:37 AM.
Schuler stopped alongside the highway and called Warren Hance, her brother and the father of the three nieces in Schuler's car. She reportedly told him that they were being delayed by traffic.
She was lost. No doubt in my mind
According to a police report, Schuler was next seen at approximately 11:45 AM by the side of the road with her hands on her knees, as if vomiting.
She was seen again in the same position a short time later, north of the Ramapo rest stop.
She was seen again in the same position a short time later, north of the Ramapo rest stop.
At 1:33 PM, two drivers called 911 after noticing Schuler's van edging onto the wrong (northbound) exit ramp of the Taconic State Parkway near Briarcliff Manor, New York.
Within the next minute, four more 911 calls were placed by motorists who reported that a car was traveling the wrong way down the Taconic Parkway.
Within the next minute, four more 911 calls were placed by motorists who reported that a car was traveling the wrong way down the Taconic Parkway.
Then the end came, swiftly and tragically.
At approximately 1:35 PM, Diane Schuler's red minivan traveled south for 1.7 miles in the parkway's northbound passing lane before colliding head-on with a 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which then struck a 2002 Chevrolet Tracker head on.
At approximately 1:35 PM, Diane Schuler's red minivan traveled south for 1.7 miles in the parkway's northbound passing lane before colliding head-on with a 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which then struck a 2002 Chevrolet Tracker head on.
Schuler, her daughter, and three of her nieces were dead at the scene of the crash, along with the three men in the TrailBlazer, 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, his 49-year-old son Guy, and their friend, 74-year-old Dan Longo.
The two occupants of the Tracker suffered only minor injuries. Schuler's severely injured third niece and Schuler's 5-year-old son Bryan were taken to local area hospitals, where the niece died later that day.
Bryan is the sole passenger of Schuler's vehicle to survive, suffering from broken bones and severe head trauma.
According to all reports, he is doing well.
The two occupants of the Tracker suffered only minor injuries. Schuler's severely injured third niece and Schuler's 5-year-old son Bryan were taken to local area hospitals, where the niece died later that day.
Bryan is the sole passenger of Schuler's vehicle to survive, suffering from broken bones and severe head trauma.
According to all reports, he is doing well.
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