TL;DR: Fort Collins police arrested Van Lemaster, 88, on October 16 in connection with an August 29 crash during the Tour de Fat festival that killed bicyclist Joshua Robert Douglass, 33, and injured six others. Lemaster faces one count of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. He was released on a $75,000 bond with an order not to drive; police say impairment was ruled out.
An 88-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with a fatal crash that killed a bicyclist during Fort Collins’ Tour de Fat festivities more than six weeks ago. The Coloradoan reports that Van Lemaster was arrested October 16 and faces one charge of vehicular homicide, a Class 4 felony; four counts of vehicular assault, a Class 5 felony; and two counts of reckless endangerment, a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The crash
The crash happened August 29 in the 100 block of Mountain Avenue, between College Avenue and Mason Street, at the height of Tour de Fat — the costumed bicycle festival that draws crowds to Old Town Fort Collins each year. According to the arrest affidavit, the crash killed Joshua Robert Douglass, 33, of Denver, and injured six others, four of them seriously. The driver was also injured.
Police said they ruled out impairment as a factor in the crash. Cynthia Freeman of the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office told the court there is no indication Lemaster had any intent to harm anyone and that he was found not impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Arrest and hearing
Lemaster was booked into the Larimer County Jail and remained in custody as of 8:30 a.m. October 16, according to online jail records. He appeared at his October 16 hearing in Larimer County Court remotely from the jail.
He was given a $75,000 personal recognizance bond and ordered not to operate a motor vehicle. Lemaster turned himself in within a day of the arrest warrant being issued and has no prior criminal history, Freeman told the magistrate. He was released from the jail the afternoon of October 16.
Some of the crash victims or their representatives appeared by video at the hearing. Only one made a statement — a relative of Douglass, who asked the court to specifically disallow Lemaster from driving. Lemaster’s attorney, Tom Fleener, said he agreed with that condition and noted Lemaster has not driven since the crash.
What comes next
Lemaster is presumed innocent of all charges. The case will proceed through Larimer County Court, where prosecutors must prove the vehicular homicide and assault counts — which center on allegedly reckless operation of a vehicle causing death and serious injury — beyond a reasonable doubt.
Featured image: Cyclists take part in Tour de Fat in Fort Collins, Colorado. Photo credit: Sam Raikow / The Collegian
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Tour de Fat crash?
Van Lemaster, 88, was arrested on October 16, 2026, in connection with the August 29 crash in Fort Collins that killed one bicyclist and injured six others during the Tour de Fat festival.
What charges does he face?
One count of vehicular homicide (Class 4 felony), four counts of vehicular assault (Class 5 felony), and two counts of reckless endangerment (Class 2 misdemeanor).
Who was killed in the crash?
Joshua Robert Douglass, 33, of Denver, was killed when the crash occurred in the 100 block of Mountain Avenue at the height of the Tour de Fat festivities.
Was alcohol or drugs involved?
No. Police said they ruled out impairment as a factor, and the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office told the court Lemaster was found not impaired by alcohol or drugs, with no indication of intent to harm anyone.
Where is Lemaster now?
He was booked into the Larimer County Jail, appeared remotely in Larimer County Court on October 16, and was released that afternoon on a $75,000 personal recognizance bond with an order not to operate a motor vehicle.
Why is he not allowed to drive?
A relative of the man killed asked the court at the hearing to specifically prohibit Lemaster from driving. His attorney agreed, and the condition was set as part of his bond.
Did Lemaster have a criminal record?
No. Prosecutors told the court he has no prior criminal history and that he turned himself in within a day of the arrest warrant.
What is Tour de Fat?
Tour de Fat is an annual costumed bicycle festival in Fort Collins, Colorado, known for its parade of costumed riders through Old Town. The 2026 event was underway when the crash occurred on August 29.
