Several motorcycles, including police ones, crash during Jelgava parade
An accident during a season-closing motorcycle parade in Jelgava left at least three people injured. Police motorcycles used to manage traffic were also involved in the collision.
A series of motorcycle crashes occurred in Jelgava on Sunday during a season-closing parade for motorcyclists. The Jelgava municipality reported on social media that traffic restrictions on Lielā Street between the Lielupe and Driksa bridges would be extended as a result.
How the incident unfolded
State Police confirmed receiving a report around 1:30 p.m. about a collision between two parade participants. One motorcycle carried a single rider, while the other carried two people.
Further investigation revealed that the crash was triggered by the driver of a tricycle-type vehicle, who struck two State Police motorcycles parked in the middle of the road. Those police motorcycles had been positioned there to separate the flow of parade riders. After hitting the police vehicles, the tricycle crossed into the oncoming lane of motorcyclists, causing a further collision with another parade participant.
Injuries
According to police, the injured include the tricycle driver as well as the rider of the other motorcycle and possibly a passenger. Another injured person was found by the roadside, apparently having been struck during the incident.
The Emergency Medical Service confirmed that three injured people received medical assistance, with one taken to a medical facility. None of the injuries were reported as severe.
Traffic across the bridges is expected to resume once parade participants have cleared the area beyond Jelgava Castle and the road is free.
Event background
The parade was part of a larger event in which more than 3,000 motorcyclists from across Latvia gathered in Jelgava for the season-closing ride, held alongside the rock and alternative music festival "Rocktagons 26" and the event "Mežs ienāk Jelgavā 2026." Riders began gathering near Jelgava Castle from 10 a.m., with the parade setting off along a set route through the city at 1 p.m.
