Ten people were injured after a police traffic officer reportedly trying to show off on a motorcycle crashed into bystanders at a holiday parade in Palm Springs, California, according to authorities and witnesses who spoke to a local newspaper.
All of the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening on Saturday night, including the officer, police said.
The name of the officer wasn’t immediately released. But the Palm Springs Post reported that he may have suffered a traumatic injury to his wrist.
The Desert Sun said witnesses told the newspaper that the officer was reportedly popping a wheelie and suddenly lost control of his motorcycle.
It slid into the crowd of spectators and brought the festive event to a standstill for more than an hour.
Authorities said some emergency responders participating in the parade helped the injured along with ambulances and fire trucks still adorned with holiday lights.
The crash occurred at about 6pm as crowds gathered to watch the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators.
“I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect,” the Palm Springs police chief, Andy Mills, said on Facebook.
City officials said the California highway patrol is investigating the crash and looking for any witness videos.
