A freak storm ripped across Lake Tahoe on Saturday, turning a birthday celebration into a nightmare. A 27‑foot Chris‑Craft boat, owned by the Pickles family, capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park when 8‑ to 10‑foot waves and winds topping 35 mph hit without warning.
Onboard was 37‑year‑old Josh Pickles, a San Francisco resident and DoorDash’s global head of strategic sourcing and procurement, along with his parents, Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula Bozinovich, 71, and his uncle Peter Bayes, 72. They were celebrating Paula’s 71st birthday. Also killed were family friends Timothy O’Leary, 71; James Guck, 69; Theresa Giullari, 66; and Stephen Lindsay, 63. It’s the deadliest boating incident in California since 2019, as reported by CNN.
Authorities say two people survived and were rushed to the hospital with hypothermia and injuries. Recovery teams, including El Dorado County deputies, the Coast Guard, and dive crews, searched over 390 square miles before finding the last victim Monday.
Family and friends are reeling. A rep for the Pickles family told ABC 7, “This is a terrible, heartbreaking tragedy that took the lives of Joshua Pickles, his father Terry, his mother Paula, his uncle Peter, as well as friends and family.” Homes in both the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe made the lakeside loss especially painful.
Josh’s wife Jordan Sugar‑Carlsgaar,d stayed ashore with their 7‑month‑old daughter. Sharing her grief with ABC 7, she said, “We are devastated by this tragedy. No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost during what was meant to be a joyful time on the lake.”
DoorDash’s CFO, Ravi Inukonda, echoed that heartbreak. “Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” he said. He spoke of Josh’s seven years with the company, calling his influence “contagious” and saying the loss is immeasurable.
Meteorologists say the storm came fast and furious. Waves that began at just a few feet soared to eight to ten feet in under an hour, with winds of 35–45 mph, catching boaters off guard. Locals say they’ve never seen conditions change that rapidly — one charter boat owner described this as “something I’ve never seen happen so fast”
Debris was scattered along the shores, and marinas took a beating. Hypothermia became a real threat as temperatures in the water hovered below 60°F. First responders sprang into action, rescuing others and racing against time in treacherous waters.
Authorities aren’t yet releasing details on whether life jackets were worn or what safety steps were taken. The investigation is ongoing, as officials work to understand why this outing ended in tragedy.
Josh Pickles was known as a collaborative leader who inspired those around him. This Bay Area family loved Lake Tahoe, splitting time between home and lake life. Tragically, this was only their third outing since buying the boat last year.
The community is pouring out support. GoFundMe pages, tributes, and heartfelt messages highlight the loss, but Jeff is gone, and loved ones are left facing an impossible void.
This day began with celebration and laughter, and instead turned into one of the worst boating disasters in California history. As the waters calm above the wreckage, families in mourning ask how so much joy could flip so quickly into tragedy.
Emergency crews urge boaters to stay weather-aware, always wear life jackets, and file a float plan. Tahoe’s beautiful waters can hide a deadly transformation in minutes.