Victims of Festival of Lights Parade crash officially file lawsuit against Palm Springs
Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Victims injured in a police motorcycle crash during the 2024 Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade have officially filed a lawsuit against the city, the police department, and multiple officials.
Formica Law Group filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, on behalf of 15 victims of the crash, which includes children, seniors, and families.
The crash happened on December 7, 2024. Palm Springs police motorcycles led the Festival of Lights Parade through downtown. The department’s administrative review found officers performed unauthorized stunts, including “bumping up” their front wheels. One officer lost control, and his motorcycle slid into the crowd, injuring 11.
“This is a serious issue that left 15 people with lifelong conditions to battle,” said Formica. “This lawsuit aims to ensure that the victims and what they have suffered are addressed and that no tragedies like this happen ever again.”
Formica Law Group said the lawsuit names the City of Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Police Department, Chief Andrew Mills, Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Officer Kenny Merenda, among others, as defendants. It reserves the right to add additional parties as the case proceeds.
“That annual parade is once again upon us, on December 6th, and we have yet to see any changes or specifics of what is being implemented differently this year to ensure safety,” said Stefano Formica of Formica Law Group in Los Angeles. “As a result of last year’s incident, plaintiffs have sustained lifelong and consequential physical, emotional, and psychological injuries and damages.”
Attorneys said the lawsuit claims that the devastating injuries sustained were a result of a systematic failure occurring over several years that was known to City officials who failed to act to ensure the safety of its citizens.
“The specific allegations include negligence, dangerous conditions on public property, a failure to discharge a mandatory duty, and a lack of foresight in planning the parade. Additionally, the district attorney failed to press charges when any other civilian would have been in custody and charged with multiple felonies,” reads a news release by Formica Law Group.
The California Highway Patrol investigated the incident and turned its findings over the prosecutors, who declined to file charges.
The Palm Springs Police Department released an administrative review in August, citing unauthorized maneuvers dating back years, supervisory inaction, “mission drift” from safety to entertainment, breakdowns in communication, and officer fatigue tied to overtime.
PSPD announced multiple reforms in the wake of the crash, including:
Banning dangerous maneuvers at parades and public events
Limiting all event vehicles to 15 mph
Stronger command and supervision at large gatherings
Creating a full-time special events supervisor
Fatigue management protocols and retraining on incident command
In September, Formica told News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle that while the reforms sound like progress, they have not been implemented.
“It’s just a statement right now,” he said. “Several of the individuals that were involved are back at work. If this were an ordinary person on a motorcycle, we’d be talking about arrests and potential jail time.”