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Victims' family say wrong-way lawsuit focuses on DWI

 The family of two victims from Diane Schuler's wrong-way crash on the Taconic State Parkway said their lawsuit filed today isn't about money or revenge but about awareness to drunk driving.

"This holiday season, remember the Taconic tragedy," said Roseann Guzzo, who lost her father, Michael Bastardi Sr., and brother, Guy Bastardi, in the crash. "If you have to go to a party, don't drink and drive. Be aware. We're all brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. You can have a good time, but don't drink and drive — especially with children in the car."

The Bastardis held a news conference outside the Westchester County Courthouse today to discuss the lawsuit.

The lawsuit, available here, was filed in state Supreme Court against the estate of Diane Schuler and her brother, Warren Hance, who owned the minivan Schuler drove on July 26 before she killed herself, her 2-year-old daughter, three young nieces, the Bastardis and their friend, Daniel Longo, 74. Schuler's 5-year-old son, Bryan, survived.

Schuler and her husband, Daniel, had spent the weekend at a Sullivan County campground and headed home to West Babylon, L.I., in separate vehicles.

The Bastardis are seeking unspecified damages from both parties in the suit. Irving Anolik, the Bastardi family attorney, emphasized the suit isn't centered on money. He said the family was filing it to bring attention to the dangers of drunk driving.

Guzzo said the family intends to create a foundation focusing on the dangers of drunk driving.

Tom Ruskin, president of CMP Investigative Group and a spokesman for the Schuler family, declined to comment. Represenatives for the Hances could not be reached for comment.

The Westchester Medical Examiner's Office found Schuler was drunk and high before she crashed. According to the lawsuit, the Bastardis allege Schuler's behavior "imperiled the lives and well-being of all lawful users of the highway" that day.

The lawsuit also implies that Michael Sr. and Guy Bastardi didn't die instantly from the crash. Brian Sichol, the attorney filing the lawsuit for the Bastardis, said his firm's investigation into the matter found that first responders to the scene saw the two alive. The significance of this information, he said, indicates the two underwent suffering and pain before their deaths.

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