Judge warns 88-year-old driver of 12-year prison term in fatal parade crash

Van Edward Lemaster appeared before Judge Daniel McDonald on Thursday for his initial court hearing regarding the death of Joshua Douglass. The 88-year-old driver was charged in connection with a collision that occurred during the Tour de Fat bicycle parade on August 29.

Lemaster faces seven counts, including one for vehicular homicide, four for vehicular assault, and two for reckless endangerment. He sat beside his attorney and used a headset to listen as the judge read the accusations. The judge explained that the homicide charge carries a prison sentence of two to six years, which can rise to 12 years if aggravating factors are present.

Lemaster confirmed to the court that he understood these potential penalties. The hearing took place nearly two months after the incident, which left one person dead and multiple others injured.

The crash happened on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins as the parade concluded. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was trying to reverse his Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking spot when it struck another vehicle. Investigators noted that he then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where pedestrians were standing.

The affidavit records that Lemaster told a hospital officer he had attempted to back out several times before deciding to accelerate quickly to leave the space. Vehicle data cited by investigators showed the accelerator pedal was fully depressed as the truck moved forward. Lemaster is scheduled to return to court on December 8 at 10 a.m.