Police chief offers explanation for crash that marred holiday parade; three remain hospitalized

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills is standing by the decision to continue the city’s Festival of Lights Parade after a police motorcycle crashed into the crowd, injuring 11 spectators. He also provided a possible explanation for the cause of the incident.

The incident occurred Saturday night near the Hyatt Palm Springs on Indian Canyon Drive at the start of the 32nd annual parade, a beloved holiday tradition that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators.

“An officer was on his motorcycle and doing crowd control as well as some demonstrations,” Mills told television station KESQ. “When he turned around the back side of a car, he lost his balance on the bike. His foot slipped off the peg and it caused him to have to grip the handlebars, which caused the bike to accelerate at a rapid speed.”

Despite the accident, parade organizers made the decision to continue the event. Mills defended the choice, citing crowd control concerns.

“If we tell everybody the parade’s over and they need to leave, now you have 100,000 people walking in different places, it becomes more chaotic,” Mills told the station. “I really felt that based on what I was seeing, we could control it better by continuing with the parade and then letting people trickle out as they normally do in that parade.”

Of the 12 people injured, including the officer, three remain hospitalized, Mills said Sunday. The officer, identified as Ken Merenda, suffered a severe wrist injury but is expected to regain mobility in his hand.

Mills, along with Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and other city officials, visited Merenda in the hospital on Sunday.

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

There was no immediate report on the condition of the parade bystanders who remain hospitalized.

The California Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the incident. The Palm Springs Police Department is also performing an internal review.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Mills acknowledged the widespread criticism of the motorcycle officers that followed the incident. He urged the public to await the results of these investigations before drawing conclusions about the cause of the accident.

“I am aware of social media accounts containing video of the accident,” he said, addressing speculation about stunts reportedly being performed by motorcycle officers. “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.”

The city is requesting that all witness videos and pictures be sent to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov to aid in the investigation.

Mills expressed remorse for the accident in a statement released late Saturday evening.

“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. 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.”

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