Investigation Into Palm Springs Police Parade Crash Continues

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A Palm Springs Police Department officer who crashed his motorcycle into a crowd of people during a weekend holiday parade, injuring himself and nearly a dozen other people, remained hospitalized Monday, while the agency's fleet of motorcycles was taken out of service pending an investigation of the crash.

Officer Kenney Merenda lost control of the motorcycle he was riding around 6 p.m. Saturday at Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road, along the route of the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Light Parade in the city's downtown area. Video shot by parade attendees shows the motorcycle traveling at a high speed as it veers into the crowd.

PSPD Chief Andy Mills told KESQ on Monday that Merenda and two other people injured in the crash remained hospitalized, and that the department's motorcycle fleet was being temporarily grounded pending an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Mills told the station earlier that the officer was "doing crowd control as well as some demonstrations. When he turned around the back side of a car, he lost his balance on the bike. His foot slipped off the peg and it caused him to have to grip the handlebars, which caused the bike to accelerate at a rapid speed."

The chief has vowed to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the crash, acknowledging video posted online and reports that the officer may have popped the clutch of the bike and been performing wheelies.

Mills told KESQ on Monday that "wheelies or clutch pops" would be prohibited in future demonstrations. His words came two days after Palm Springs public information officer Kitty Alvarado released a statement referring to "rumors about the officer doing tricks on his motorcycle," calling those claims "inaccurate."

In a statement Sunday, Mills said he is "aware of social media accounts containing video of the accident. There is also video of officers demonstrating traffic control maneuvers. All of the video available to us will be analyzed and included in the investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol. Once I have a full understanding of what took place, what caused the accident, and what we could have done differently, I will report back to the community our findings. I appreciate the overwhelming support from Palm Springs."

The chief said he visited the injured officer Sunday along with Mayor Jeffery Bernstein and City Manager Scott Stiles, and Merenda "was alert and conversant. The doctors at Desert Regional are amazing and I am happy to report he will likely recover mobility in his hand. Kenney expressed deep concern for all of those injured and wishes them a full and speedy recovery. Of the 11 others transported for care, two were kept by the hospital for further treatment."

Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein also promised to get to the bottom of what caused the accident.

"As mayor, I take this very seriously. I also know that Palm Springs is unique. We have the community that can and will join in unison to overcome the most difficult of circumstances," Bernstein said on social media Saturday.

The CHP asked that anyone who has video or images showing the accident send them to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov.

The annual celebration was held at 401 S. Pavilion Way from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Saturday and featured floats, dance performances, giant balloons and a variety of special guests.

Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum was the celebrity grand marshal and Madchen Amick, known for her role in the CW show "Riverdale," was honorary grand marshal. Miss California Kimberly Vernon and Nancy Sinatra were also featured in the parade, which continued after authorities cleared the scene of the accident.