Tour de Fat Crash: 88-Year-Old Driver Faces Up To 12 Years

Fort Collins authorities are moving forward with criminal charges against the driver responsible for a deadly collision during a local bicycle event. Van Edward Lemaster, 88, appeared in court on Thursday for the first time since the incident. He faced seven counts related to the crash that occurred on Aug. 29.

The collision took place on Mountain Avenue as the Tour de Fat parade was ending. According to the arrest affidavit, Lemaster was trying to reverse his Chevrolet Silverado out of a parking spot. He struck another car before accelerating onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio. Joshua Douglass died from his injuries. Several other pedestrians were hit in the crash.

Judge Daniel McDonald read the charges to Lemaster, who sat beside his attorney while wearing a headset. The counts include one vehicular homicide, four vehicular assaults, and two reckless endangerments. The judge explained the sentencing ranges. Vehicular homicide carries a penalty of two to six years. If aggravating factors are present, the maximum sentence rises to 12 years. Lemaster told the court he understood these penalties.

Investigators noted that Lemaster told a hospital officer he had tried to back up multiple times before pressing the gas pedal hard to leave the space. Vehicle data showed the accelerator was fully depressed as the truck moved forward. The affidavit cites these details to support the reckless endangerment and assault charges.

The next court date is set for Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.