A motorcycle crash involving a police officer left at least 10 people injured during the annual holiday parade in Palm Springs on Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. near Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road during the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, which drew large crowds.
According to witnesses, the officer was reportedly performing a wheelie maneuver when he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown off. The unmanned bike continued down the street and collided with the crowd, as reported by the Palm Springs Post.
Tragically, the officer’s hand was reportedly severed in the accident. Nine spectators sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, Palm Springs police confirmed.
Witness videos captured the aftermath, showing bystanders rushing to assist the injured as the officer’s motorcycle lay on the ground near the crowd.
The parade was briefly paused following the crash but resumed later in the evening. The annual downtown Palm Springs event typically attracts between 80,000 and 100,000 attendees, celebrating the holiday season with festive lights and community spirit.
In November 2022, Darrell Brooks, 40, received six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for driving an SUV through a crowd at the Waukesha, Wisconsin, Christmas parade, killing six victims and injuring 61 others.
The aspiring rap artist was convicted on six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and 61 counts of reckless endangerment, bond jumping, and battery for a total of 76 charges.
Waukesha County Judge Jennifer R. Dorow also sentenced him to 17.5 years in prison on each endangerment count.
Brooks, who chose to represent himself in the trial, claimed that he had a history of mental health issues and experienced a difficult childhood while growing up. He then later apologized to the victims’ families.
Dorow dismissed Brooks’ claims that he was mentally ill, noting that four psychologists who had evaluated him earlier diagnosed him with an anti-social personality disorder but no mental illness.
“It is my opinion that mental health issues did not cause him to do what he did on Nov. 21, 2021, and frankly didn’t play a role,” Dorow said on Wednesday “It is very clear to me that he understands the difference between right and wrong and he simply chooses to ignore his conscience. He is fueled by anger and rage.”
