88-year-old faces seven counts in parade crash

Van Edward Lemaster made his first court appearance on Thursday in the case involving a fatal crash during Fort Collins' Tour de Fat.

The 88-year-old defendant faces seven charges stemming from the Aug. 29 incident. Judge Daniel McDonald outlined the specific counts, which include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment.

McDonald explained the potential prison terms to Lemaster. The vehicular homicide charge carries a sentence of two to six years, with a maximum of 12 years if aggravating circumstances are found. Lemaster confirmed his understanding of these penalties while seated beside his attorney.

The crash occurred on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins near the end of the bicycle parade. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was backing his Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking spot when he struck another vehicle. He then accelerated onto a sidewalk and outdoor patio where pedestrians were gathered.

Joshua Douglass died from his injuries, and several other people were hurt. Investigators noted that the vehicle data showed the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward. At the hospital, Lemaster told an officer that he had tried to back out multiple times before he 'just gunned it' to leave the space.

Lemaster is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8.