Palm Desert sheriff’s motor officer airlifted after on-duty training accident

A Palm Desert sheriff’s deputy who was seriously injured earlier this week during an on-duty motorcycle training exercise remains hospitalized Thursday. Sheriff’s officials have not released the motor officer’s current condition and the deputy’s family have asked for the community’s continued prayers for their loved one as he recovers.

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Deputy Jay Youngblood was hurt Tuesday, July 24, during a training session at a motorcycle training center in San Bernardino County, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Willison explained in a press release earlier this morning.

Officials have not specified how Youngblood was injured or the nature or extent of his injuries, but the motor officer was airlifted to an area trauma center in serious condition after the crash.

“The Department, family and friends are all at our Deputy’s bedside during this difficult time,” Willison explained.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of public support,” Willison continued, “however, to respect our Deputy’s privacy as well as the integrity of the investigation into the training accident, we will not comment further on the circumstances.”

SEE RELATED UPDATE: RivCo motor officer paralyzed after on-duty training accident

The Riverside Sheriff’s Association has established a donation page for those interested in making contributions to help cover Youngblood’s medical expenses and other related costs.

“His efforts to broaden the skills and services he provides to the citizens of Riverside County resulted in a major injury,” RSA said in a statement. “His family asks that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.