88-Year-Old Man In Court Over Fort Collins Crash That Killed One

An 88-year-old man appeared in court on Thursday for the first time to answer charges related to a deadly incident at a Fort Collins festival. The hearing took place nearly two months after the Aug. 29 event, where one person died and several others were hurt.

Van Edward Lemaster faces a total of seven counts stemming from that afternoon. The charges include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of vehicular endangerment.

During the proceeding, Judge Daniel McDonald reviewed each charge with Lemaster. He also outlined what the law allows in terms of sentencing. For the homicide count, the penalty is between two and six years in prison. If aggravating circumstances are found, that term can rise to as much as 12 years. Lemaster told the court he understood these potential outcomes.

The incident occurred on Mountain Avenue in the Old Town area. It happened as the Tour de Fat bicycle parade was wrapping up for the day.

Investigators have reconstructed how the crash unfolded. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was trying to back his Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking space. He hit another vehicle in the process.

After that collision, the driver accelerated onto a sidewalk. He continued onto an outdoor patio where pedestrians were gathered. Several people were struck at that location. Joshua Douglass was among those injured and later died.

The affidavit contains statements Lemaster made to officers at a hospital. He said he had tried to back out of the space several times before he "just gunned it" to leave the area. Investigators also looked at data from the vehicle. That record indicates the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward.

Lemaster sat beside his attorney during the hearing. He wore a headset to follow the discussion. He is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8.