88-year-old faces 12-year sentence risk after killing in Fort Collins parade crash

Van Edward Lemaster appeared in court on Thursday to answer seven charges related to a fatal crash in Fort Collins.

The 88-year-old driver sat beside his attorney during the brief hearing, using a headset to listen to the proceedings. Judge Daniel McDonald reviewed the specific allegations against him, which include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Lemaster entered a not guilty plea to all seven counts.

The judge outlined the statutory penalties for each charge. Vehicular homicide carries a prison sentence of two to six years, with the possibility of an extended term of up to 12 years if aggravating circumstances are proven. Lemaster indicated to the court that he understood these potential penalties.

The incident occurred on Aug. 29 on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins as the Tour de Fat bicycle parade concluded. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was backing his Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking space when he struck another vehicle. He then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where pedestrians were gathered, striking several people. Joshua Douglass died from his injuries, and several others were hurt.

Lemaster told an officer at the hospital that he had attempted to back out of the space multiple times before pressing the accelerator to leave. Investigators cited data from the vehicle showing that the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward. Lemaster is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8.