Injuries reported after police motorcycle accident mars start of Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade

A police motorcycle slid into a crowd of bystanders at the start of the 32nd annual Festival of Lights Parade in Palm Springs Saturday night, resulting in multiple injuries and bringing the festive event to an abrupt halt. None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to officials, but the officer suffered a traumatic injury to his wrist.

The incident occurred near the Hyatt Palm Springs on Indian Canyon, where video shows the officer laying down his motorcycle as it was traveling quickly past other officers on their motorcycles circling in the middle of the street. The downed motorcycle was then seen sliding into a crowd of parade spectators.

Emergency responders, many of whom were already participating in the parade, quickly sprang into action. Ambulances and fire trucks, still adorned with holiday lights, became part of the emergency response.

Several stretchers were seen entering and leaving the area. At least four patients were observed being transported by paramedics. Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado initially reported that a total of 10 people, as well as the officer, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. On Sunday, it was confirmed that 12 people were injured, including the officer. All of the injured were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Police Chief Andy Mills said Sunday that of the 12 people involved, three remain in the hospital, including the officer.

While not life-threatening, the officer’s injuries did appear severe. An image sent to The Post from a bystander shows one of the officer’s wrists severely damaged, with his hand nearly completely severed.

Mills said Sunday that the officer is expected to regain mobility in his hand. He did not provide an update on the crowd members who remained in the hospital.

Mills said that he, Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, and others visited the officer — Ken Merenda — in the hospital and that, “He was alert and conversant.”

“The Doctors at Desert Regional are amazing and I am happy to report he will likely recover mobility in his hand,” Mills wrote. “Kenny expressed deep concern for all of those injured and wishes them a full and speedy recovery.”

Shortly after the incident Saturday evening, authorities quickly cordoned off the area, and a growing number of emergency vehicles arrived at the scene. The accident site became the focus of intense activity.

The incident brought the parade to a standstill, but it eventually resumed. The parade, a beloved holiday tradition in Palm Springs, typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators.

In a statement released shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, the city said that the California Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the incident and requests that all witness videos and pictures be sent to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov.

“We appreciate the community’s support,” the statement read in part. “Our thoughts are with the officer, his family and all of those injured today.”

Mills offered an apology in his statement released late Saturday evening and promised to report back results of any investigations into the incident.

“I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect,” Mills wrote. “I am deeply concerned and hope for a thorough recovery,” Mills wrote. “As chief of police, I am responsible for this department and the men and women who serve. After we conduct our investigations I will report back to the community. Again, I am truly sorry.”

On Sunday, he addressed social media chatter about the incident, urging residents to await the outcome of a pending investigation.

“I am aware of social media accounts containing video of the accident,” he said, referring to multiple reports that motorcycle officers might have been doing stunts that were not appropriate in the situation. “There is also video of officers demonstrating traffic control maneuvers.

“All of the video available to us will be analyzed and included in the investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol. Once I have a full understanding of what took place, what caused the accident, and what we could have done differently, I will report back to the community our findings.”

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