A motorcycle police officer crashed into a crowd of people in Palm Springs, injuring 10

Ten people were injured Saturday night when a police officer on a motorcycle plowed his bike into crowds attending the annual holiday party in Palm Springs, according to the city.

The crash happened just after 6 p.m. on the Festival Lights Parade route at Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road, officials said. The officer, who has not been identified, and nine others suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at local hospitals, officials said.

Lt. Gustavo Araiza, public information officer for the Palm Springs Police Department, said he did not have any additional information about the incident, other than that the officer “finally lost control” and walked into the crowd. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.

“The police who were at the scene received different statements from different people, so they will follow up to find out what caused him to lose control,” said Araiza about the motorcycle police officer.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said in a statement posted on Facebook that he was saddened by the accident and the injuries to the people we protect. I am very worried and I hope that I will make a full recovery.”

Mills said his department will “conduct an administrative investigation” into the incident and report back to the public.

“As the Chief of Police, I am in charge of this department and the men and women who work. … Once again, I am truly sorry,” Mills said in his statement.

An eyewitness told The Times that the police officer lost control of the motorcycle when the wheel came off and careened into the crowd, injuring those present. Brenda Taylor, a Palm Desert resident whose daughter performed at the show, said she and her son were a few of the injured.

The motorcycle officer was speeding down the road so fast that “it seemed unsafe … before anything happened,” Taylor said. There was no one in charge of the crowds, he said, and there was no barrier.

“It was a disaster,” he said.

Among the injured, there was a little boy who seemed to be unconscious. People were trying to keep him awake, Taylor said. He said the motorcycle policeman’s hand was badly injured and it appeared as if it had been amputated.

A video taken moments before the crash shows police officers on motorcycles riding on the parade route. Another is seen speeding down the lane before crashing near a crowd of people, the video shows.

Authorities are asking anyone with videos or photos of the crash to send them to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov.

The Festival of Lights Parade is estimated by organizers to bring approximately 100,000 people annually to Palm Springs.