88-Year-Old Driver Accused of Overriding Automatic Brakes and Plowing Into Ice Cream Shop Crowd, Killing 33-Year-Old Man

An 88-year-old Wyoming man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly accelerating his pickup truck into a group of pedestrians in Fort Collins, Colorado, killing a 33-year-old man and injuring several others.

Van Lemaster was charged with felony vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment following the August 29 crash. Investigators say data recovered from his Chevrolet Silverado showed he pressed the accelerator to 99% even as the truck’s automatic emergency braking system attempted to stop the vehicle.

Crash Happened During Popular Bicycle Festival

The crash occurred as Fort Collins hosted Tour de Fat, an annual costumed bicycle parade and festival that draws cyclists and crowds to the downtown area.

According to court documents, Lemaster had been having lunch at a nearby restaurant with a woman before preparing to leave in his pickup truck. As he attempted to back out of a parking space along West Mountain Avenue, cyclists and other traffic were moving through the area.

Investigators allege that Lemaster struck a Nissan Altima while maneuvering out of the space. A witness reportedly told police that the truck’s engine revved aggressively before Lemaster shifted into drive.

The pickup then allegedly accelerated over the curb, struck bicycles and a handicapped parking sign, and continued toward pedestrians gathered near an ice cream shop.

Automatic Braking System Allegedly Overridden

Investigators later examined electronic data from the Silverado to determine what happened in the moments before the collision.

According to the affidavit, the truck’s automatic emergency braking system detected pedestrians in its path and activated its “Alert and Brake” function. However, investigators said Lemaster continued pressing the accelerator at approximately 99%, overriding the system’s braking response.

Authorities believe the automatic braking system would have been able to stop the truck before it struck the pedestrians if the accelerator had not been pressed.

The exact reason for Lemaster’s acceleration remains unclear. Investigators reportedly found no mechanical defects that would explain the crash.

Police also said Lemaster was not intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Victim Identified as Joshua Douglass

The crash killed Joshua Douglass, 33, of Denver.

According to the charging documents, the pickup struck several people, including Douglass and his girlfriend. One pedestrian was reportedly thrown into the outdoor seating area of the nearby ice cream parlor.

Investigators said Douglass was dragged beneath the truck before it came to a stop. The vehicle also struck additional people, leaving several injured.

Douglass was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Lemaster also suffered a head injury and received medical treatment.

Fort Collins police previously described the incident as a tragic crash that affected numerous people in the community. Authorities said the investigation required extensive work before charges were filed.

Driver Arrested Months After the Collision

Lemaster was arrested on October 16, several weeks after the fatal crash. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail and reportedly received a $75,000 bond.

The charges include one count of felony vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment.

The case has drawn attention to the limits of automatic emergency braking technology. Although such systems are designed to help drivers avoid collisions, investigators allege that the driver’s continued acceleration prevented the truck from stopping as intended.

The technology’s activation, vehicle data, witness accounts, and the circumstances surrounding the initial collision are among the details relevant to the investigation.

Lemaster’s alleged actions and the precise circumstances leading to the crash will be addressed through the legal process. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Sources: Law&Crime