Festival of Lights crash victims file lawsuit against city, police department
A Los Angeles law firm filed the lawsuit on behalf of 15 people injured when an officer performing a wheelie lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into spectators.
Fifteen people injured when a Palm Springs police officer lost control of his motorcycle during last year’s Festival of Lights Parade have filed a lawsuit against the city, its police department and the officer involved, according to the Los Angeles-based Formica Law Group. The lawsuit was first reported by Christopher Damien of The Desert Sun.
The complaint stems from the Dec. 7, 2024 crash in which a motorcycle officer attempted a wheelie — an unauthorized maneuver, according to police — and lost control of his motorcycle. The bike careened into spectators along Palm Canyon Drive, injuring several people, including children. None of the injuries were life threatening.
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The suit, filed in Riverside County Superior Court but not yet available publicly, names the officer, Police Chief Andy Mills and then-Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein as defendants. It alleges the crash resulted from negligence, inadequate planning and failures in supervision within the department and city.
“This is a serious issue that left 15 people with lifelong conditions to battle,” attorney Stefano Formica said in a statement. “This lawsuit aims to ensure that the victims and what they have suffered are addressed and that no tragedies like this happen ever again.”
After the incident, the police department shut down its motorcycle unit while conducting an internal review. Several policy changes followed, including new communication protocols among motorcycle officers and speed limits for non-emergency situations.
Outside reviews also took place. The California Highway Patrol conducted an independent investigation, and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office later declined to file criminal charges. The officer has not returned to duty.
In announcing the lawsuit, Formica argued the city and department have not adopted sufficient safeguards to prevent another incident, pointing to the fact that this year’s Festival of Lights Parade is scheduled for Dec. 6. He did not cite evidence for that assertion.
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