(DCWatchdog.com) – In an accident marring an otherwise joyous occasion, a Palm Springs holiday parade turned tragic when a police officer lost control of his motorcycle, injuring 10 bystanders.
See video footage from the accident in the tweet below!
This accident raises serious questions about public event safety and overshadowed what should have been a happy celebration.
At approximately 6 p.m., during the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, a police officer unexpectedly crashed into the crowd.
The incident along the parade route resulted in 10 people being hospitalized with injuries, including the officer himself.
While the injuries were reported as not life-threatening, they certainly cast a shadow over the festive celebration.
Reports said one of those injured later died of their wounds.
As shocking as the accident was, eyewitness accounts suggested that the officer attempted a wheelie before losing control.
The motorcycle, without its rider, slid into the packed crowd, abruptly halting the parade for over an hour.
Thankfully, emergency personnel quickly responded, providing much-needed assistance and transferring the injured to nearby hospitals.
“We did see him pop a wheelie, and all of a sudden he went sideways and skid all the way over there, lost control and let go of the bike, and it went straight into the crowd,” eyewitness Veronica Ortiz said, cited by The New York Post.
Authorities, including the California Highway Patrol, are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the motorcycle officer’s loss of control.
The city has asked the public to send in videos and images of the accident to aid in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Despite the unfortunate events, the Palm Springs community has shown solidarity and support for those affected.
“We appreciate the community’s support, and our thoughts are with the officer, his family, and all of those injured today,” stated a city’s spokesperson.
Among the injured were a child and two senior citizens, further highlighting the unfortunate impact of the officer’s actions during such a large public gathering, which typically attracts tens of thousands of spectators.
Thankfully, the officer and those injured are expected not to suffer from life-threatening injuries.
Amidst this tragedy, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills expressed deep regret about the incident.
“I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect,” Mills lamented, as the community looks to heal and rebuild the festive spirit that was so abruptly shattered.
Ten people were injured, and one person has died after a police officer crashed his motorcycle into a crowd during the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade in #PalmSprings, #California
The incident occurred around 7:30pm on Saturday night when a PSPD traffic… pic.twitter.com/WHHMkQajxH
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 8, 2024
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