Lemaster pleads not guilty in Fort Collins parade crash

Van Edward Lemaster entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to seven charges stemming from a crash at the Fort Collins Tour de Fat. The hearing marks his first court appearance since the Aug. 29 incident, which resulted in one death and multiple injuries.

Judge Daniel McDonald read the counts to Lemaster, who sat beside his attorney and listened via a headset. The charges include one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. The judge outlined the sentencing guidelines, noting that vehicular homicide carries a base term of two to six years. That term can extend to 12 years if the court finds aggravating circumstances. Lemaster acknowledged he understood these penalties.

The crash took place on Mountain Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins as the bicycle parade neared its end. Police records state that Lemaster was reversing his Chevrolet Silverado from a parking space when he collided with another car. Investigators report he then accelerated onto a sidewalk and an outdoor patio where a crowd had gathered. Joshua Douglass died from injuries sustained in the strike.

The arrest affidavit details Lemaster's account to a hospital officer. He said he attempted to reverse several times before pressing the accelerator to exit the space. Vehicle data indicated the gas pedal was fully depressed during the forward movement.

Lemaster is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on Dec. 8 for the next phase of the proceedings.