88-Year-Old Faces 7 Charges in Fatal Fort Collins Parade Crash

The legal proceedings for a tragic collision in northern Colorado entered a new phase on Thursday as the accused driver entered the courtroom. Van Edward Lemaster, 88, made his initial appearance in connection with the incident that claimed one life and left multiple others injured during a popular community event.

Lemaster sat beside his legal counsel throughout the brief session. He utilized a headset to follow the judicial dialogue. The judge, Daniel McDonald, formally read the seven counts against the defendant. These include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment.

The court also outlined the potential sentencing range for the charges. The vehicular homicide count carries a prison term of two to six years. If aggravating circumstances are established, the sentence could extend to twelve years. Lemaster indicated to the court that he comprehended these potential penalties.

The crash took place on August 29, nearly two months prior to this hearing. The location was Mountain Avenue in the Old Town district of Fort Collins. The event was the Tour de Fat, a bicycle parade that was in its final stages when the accident occurred.

Details from the arrest affidavit describe the sequence of events leading up to the impact. Lemaster was attempting to reverse a Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking spot. During this maneuver, the truck struck another vehicle. Investigators report that the driver then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio area where pedestrians were gathered.

The vehicle struck several individuals in that crowded space. One of the victims, Joshua Douglass, later succumbed to his injuries. The affidavit includes statements Lemaster made to an officer at the hospital. He described trying to back out of the space multiple times before finally accelerating hard to leave.

Investigators also cited data from the vehicle itself. The records indicated that the accelerator pedal was fully depressed as the truck moved forward into the crowd. This technical evidence supports the account of a sudden and forceful movement into the pedestrian area.

The next scheduled court date for Lemaster is set for December 8. The hearing is planned to begin at 10 a.m. This upcoming session will continue the legal process for the case, which has drawn significant attention from the local community since the summer incident.