Palm Springs motorcycle cop injures 10 in holiday parade crash

Horrifying video captured the moment a California cop flew down a holiday parade route on a motorcycle before crashing into a crowd of spectators, injuring at least nine people and severing his hand in the process.

The Palm Springs officer reportedly lost control while trying to perform a trick on the parade route just after 6 p.m. Saturday, witnesses told The Desert Sun.

Ten people, including the unnamed officer, sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident, the city of Palm Springs wrote on Facebook.

Among those injured was a child who had “minor to moderate injuries,” but was in good condition. Two senior citizens were also injured in the accident, police spokesperson Gustavo Araiza told the outlet.

Horrifying video captured the moment a California cop crashed into spectators at a holiday parade. KABC via Linda McCarthy

All those injured were being treated at local hospitals.

Parade attendees said the officer lost control of his motorcycle while attempting a trick — and severed his hand during the crash, according to the outlet.

Video of the horrific accident shows the officer pull a small “wheelie” before speeding out of control and crashing into the crowd of holiday revelers.

Ten people, including the cop, were injured. Taya Gray / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We did see him pop a wheelie and all of a sudden he went sideways and skid all the way over there,” parade attendee Veronica Ortiz told The Desert Sun at the scene, “and lost control and let go of the bike and it went straight into the crowd.”

Another witness Byron Ruvalcaba told the outlet the cop was going “dumbly fast.”

“There are kids running around … to my eyes, they were going recklessly [fast]. My guess is 25 to 35 miles per hour,” Ruvalcaba said.

Authorities are investigating the crash. Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The bike continued moving into the crowd even after the officer was thrown off it, crashing into an elderly couple and several other spectators, according to the outlet.

Palm Springs police characterized reports of the wheelie as “a rumor.” The claims were not addressed by Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills, who apologized for the incident on Facebook.

“By now most of our community knows at the parade tonight one of our traffic motors had an accident on his motorcycle and unfortunately several citizens and our officer were injured. I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect,” Mills wrote.

He continued: “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.”

California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.