Ten people were injured when a police officer on a motorcycle crashed into bystanders during the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday (December 7). The incident occurred around 6 p.m. and brought the festive event to a halt for over an hour. The injured victims, including the officer, were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses reported that the officer was attempting to perform a wheelie when he lost control of the motorcycle, which then slid into the crowd. The officer's name has not been released, but he may have suffered a wrist injury.
Emergency responders who were part of the parade quickly assisted the injured, with ambulances and fire trucks still decorated with holiday lights. The parade, which is an annual event, typically attracts between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators.
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills expressed his regret on Facebook, saying, "I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect."
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and is seeking any witness videos to aid in the investigation.