Palm Springs Parade Incident Sparks Investigation, Police Chief Responds

The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade took a tragic turn Saturday night when a motorcycle officer lost control during a stunt, injuring several people in the crowd. Although there were no fatalities, the incident left the community in shock and raised serious concerns about safety protocols at public events. During a segment on The Roggin Report, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills addressed the situation, offering updates and outlining the department's response. Chief Mills explained that the accident occurred when the officer's foot slipped from the motorcycle’s peg during acceleration, causing him to lose control. The officer sustained severe injuries, but Chief Mills clarified that reports of the officer losing a hand were false. Two other individuals remain hospitalized, and the department has expressed its heartfelt concern for their recovery. Chief Mills took full responsibility as the leader of the department and announced a series of reforms to prevent similar incidents. He stated that stunts, such as wheelies, would no longer be permitted during parades. The department has also paused all motorcycle operations pending a thorough review of policies and procedures. An internal investigation is underway to examine the circumstances leading to the accident, including authorization decisions and adherence to policies. The department is also exploring best practices for crowd management and may reevaluate the use of motorcycles at such events. "This was a devastating event for all involved," Mills said. "We must learn from this and ensure the safety of our community moving forward." The community continues to process the incident as discussions about accountability and safety take center stage. Further updates on the investigation will be shared as they become available.