Ten people hurt as motorcycle cop collides with spectators at California parade

PALM SPRINGS, California — A weekend holiday parade in Palm Springs turned tragic when a motorcycle traffic officer collided with spectators, leading to ten injuries. According to authorities, all those hurt, including the officer, were transported to hospitals on Saturday night for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses recounted to local media that the officer was performing a wheelie when he unexpectedly lost control of the motorcycle, causing it to slide into bystanders. The incident caused a disruption to the festive event, halting activities for over an hour.

Emergency responders who were part of the parade, including teams from ambulances and fire trucks decorated with holiday lights, quickly came to the aid of those injured. The crash happened around 6 p.m. as large crowds gathered to witness the 32nd Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, an annual event that typically attracts between 80,000 and 100,000 attendees.

Expressing his dismay over the incident, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills shared a statement on social media, saying, “I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect.”

City officials have indicated that the California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and is actively seeking videos from witnesses to gather further information on what transpired.