Tragedy on Lake Tahoe: Birthday Celebration Turns Deadly as Boat Capsizes in Sudden Storm

A birthday celebration on Lake Tahoe ended in heartbreak over the weekend when a boat carrying 10 people capsized during a sudden, violent thunderstorm—killing eight passengers, including four members of a Northern California family.

Among the victims was 37-year-old Josh Pickles of San Francisco, his parents—Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City—and his uncle, Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln. The family had gathered to celebrate Bozinovich’s birthday on the lake.

“What was supposed to be a joyful day turned into a nightmare,” said Josh’s wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, in a statement Tuesday. “No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost.”

Two people survived the incident, but their identities and conditions have not yet been released.

A Day Meant for Celebration

The group had set out on a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft boat—purchased by Josh about a year ago—near D.L. Bliss State Park on Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore. According to family spokesperson Sam Singer, the outing marked only the second time the family had used the boat. Jordan, Josh’s wife, had stayed home to care for their 7-month-old daughter.

The couple, married in 2023, lived between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. Both worked in the tech industry—Josh at DoorDash and Jordan at Airbnb.

Ravi Inukonda, CFO of DoorDash, remembered Josh as “an inspiration” and a valued team member during his nearly seven-year tenure. “We are heartbroken,” Inukonda said. “Our thoughts and love are with his wife, daughter, and all who knew him.”

Storm Caught Everyone Off Guard

The accident occurred Saturday around 3 p.m. as a powerful and fast-moving thunderstorm unexpectedly swept across the southern part of the lake, kicking up waves over 8 feet high and winds reaching 35 mph. Meteorologists had forecast rain, but not the intense squall that struck.

“We weren’t expecting it to be so strong,” said Matthew Chyba, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno. Cooler-than-normal temperatures in the area may have contributed to the storm’s ferocity.

The waves flooded the boat and stalled its engine, according to Singer, who relayed details from the family. The vessel capsized shortly afterward.

Other Victims Identified

In addition to the Pickles family members, authorities identified four other victims:

• Timothy O’Leary, 71, of Auburn, California
• Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, New York
• Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York

A Rare and Devastating Incident

While Lake Tahoe sees a handful of accidental deaths each summer—an average of six—boating accidents with this many casualties are extremely rare.

“This is one of the worst incidents I’ve seen in 16 years,” said Lt. Scott Crivelli of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. The last major spike in fatalities came in 2021, with a record 15 deaths, but none in a single event of this scale.

As families and friends grieve, authorities continue investigating the tragedy and reviewing weather protocols. For now, it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can turn even the most joyful moments into heartbreak.