Judge details 12-year prison risk for 88-year-old driver in fatal parade crash

Judge Daniel McDonald outlined the potential penalties for Van Edward Lemaster on Thursday. The 88-year-old man faces a maximum of 12 years in prison if aggravating circumstances are proven. He entered a not guilty plea to all seven charges during a brief hearing at the Fort Collins courthouse.

The incident occurred on Aug. 29 on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins. Lemaster was operating a Chevrolet Silverado near the end of the Tour de Fat bicycle parade. According to the arrest affidavit, he attempted to reverse out of a parking space and struck another vehicle. Investigators report he then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where pedestrians were gathered.

Joshua Douglass died from his injuries. Several other people were hurt in the collision. The affidavit notes that Lemaster told a hospital officer he tried to back up multiple times before he "just gunned it" to leave the space. Vehicle data showed the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward.

During the hearing, Lemaster sat beside his attorney and used a headset to follow the proceedings. Judge McDonald reviewed the specific counts: one for vehicular homicide, four for vehicular assault, and two for reckless endangerment. The judge explained that vehicular homicide carries a base sentence of two to six years. Lemaster told the court he understood the potential penalties.

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