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Bastardi Jr. Says HBO Documentary Was a "Farce"

Two years after Diane Schuler killed herself and seven others after driving the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway, HBO aired a documentary about the crash. Michael Bastardi Jr., whose father and brother were killed in the accident, wanted no part of the film.

"The documentary was a complete farce," he said. "They had approached me several times, HBO, if I wanted to be on there and I refused."

Bastardi, of Yonkers, said he didn’t want to be interviewed for the documentary because it was orchestrated by Schuler's husband, Daniel, and his attorney Dominic Barbara.

"I felt like this would be a one-sided story that would try to prop up Diane Schuler as a person who was so perfect," Bastardi said. "It turns out I was right."

Daniel Schuler insists his wife was not drunk or high at the time of accident, regardless of the toxicology reports. Bastardi said he does not care to debate the facts of the report with Schuler.

"I just want to try and get every possible answer I can on why this woman killed my family," Bastardi said.

Bastardi said he's still waiting to get into court for his two pending lawsuits in response to the accident.  One lawsuit is against Warren Hance, the owner of the vehicle Diane Schuler was driving, and the second is against Diane Schuler's estate.  Hance is Diane Schuler’s brother and the father of her three nieces, who were also killed in the crash.

His attorneys recommended he seek a civil lawsuit because it would get further and potentially answer more questions about the crash.

"We felt there was a lot more to this story that hadn't come out," Bastardi said. "I want the answers to a lot of questions that weren't answered. I want to get to the bottom of everyone that was involved in this case."

Everything has been filed for his lawsuits due to deadlines, according to Bastardi who said the case should now start moving more quickly.

Sen. Charles Fuschillo, a state legislator from Long Island, is pushing for a bill that would make it a felony to drive the wrong-way on a highway either knowingly or while intoxicated. Bastardi, whose family has a book about the tragedy, said he has been following the bill closely and hopes it will be passed.

What are your thoughts on the HBO documentary about the wrong-way accident on the Taconic? Let us know below in the comments section or on Facebook or Twitter.

 

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