Lemaster Pleads Not Guilty to Seven Counts in Deadly Parade Crash

Van Edward Lemaster appeared before Judge Daniel McDonald on Thursday to answer to seven charges stemming from the crash that killed Joshua Douglass. The hearing took place nearly two months after the August 29 incident on Mountain Avenue, where a vehicle struck pedestrians during the closing stages of the Tour de Fat bicycle parade.

The case began when Lemaster attempted to reverse his Chevrolet Silverado from a parking space in Old Town Fort Collins. According to the arrest affidavit, he struck another vehicle while backing up. Investigators say he then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where a crowd had gathered. The truck struck several people, and Douglass later died from his injuries.

Lemaster, who sat beside his attorney using a headset, listened as the judge read the counts: one for vehicular homicide, four for vehicular assault, and two for reckless endangerment. The affidavit notes that Lemaster told a hospital officer he had tried to back out multiple times before deciding to accelerate quickly to leave. Vehicle data indicated the accelerator pedal was fully depressed as the truck moved forward.

Judge McDonald outlined the sentencing guidelines for each charge. Vehicular homicide carries a prison term of two to six years, though the range can extend to 12 years if aggravating circumstances are proven. Lemaster stated to the court that he understood these potential penalties.

The next scheduled court date is set for 10 a.m. on December 8.