Man accused in Fort Collins parade crash faces 12-year sentence

Van Edward Lemaster, 88, appeared in court on Thursday for the first time regarding the Tour de Fat crash. The hearing took place nearly two months after the August 29 incident that left Joshua Douglass dead and several others injured. Lemaster sat beside his attorney and wore a headset to hear the proceedings.

Judge Daniel McDonald read the seven counts to Lemaster. They include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. The judge explained that the homicide charge carries a base sentence of two to six years. If aggravating circumstances are found, the maximum penalty rises to 12 years. Lemaster told the court he understood these potential terms.

The crash happened on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins as the bicycle parade ended. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was backing a Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking spot. He struck another vehicle before accelerating onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where pedestrians were standing. The truck hit several people. Douglass later died from his injuries.

The affidavit notes that Lemaster told a hospital officer he tried to back out several times before he "just gunned it" to leave. Investigators cited vehicle data showing the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward. Lemaster is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on December 8.