The calm of a Lake Tahoe birthday celebration turned into a nightmare when a sudden, violent storm transformed a joyful family gathering into a devastating tragedy. What began as a 71st birthday trip for Paula Bozinovich quickly became one of the deadliest boating accidents in recent Tahoe history, claiming eight lives near D.L. Bliss State Park.

The group, a close-knit collection of friends and family, was enjoying what should have been a memorable day on the water when 8-foot waves and wind gusts topping 35 mph overwhelmed their 27-foot powerboat. Among those lost were Josh Pickles, a DoorDash executive, along with his parents Terry Pickles and Paula Bozinovich, and his uncle Peter Bayes.

A Community in Mourning

The victims represented a cross-section of communities from California and New York, including Timothy O’Leary, Theresa Giullari, James Guck, and Stephen Lindsay. Each life lost represented more than just a statistic, they were beloved family members, friends, and community pillars.

Beyond the Tragedy

Josh Pickles’ widow, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, described the group as having been enjoying a “joyful time” before the storm turned deadly. Ravi Inukonda from DoorDash remembered Pickles as someone who “brought a contagious spirit that lifted those around him”.

Rescue and Recovery

Emergency response was swift, with dive teams from El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Washoe counties conducting extensive search operations. The U.S. Coast Guard searched over 390 square miles before suspending rescue efforts, leaving a community to grapple with an unthinkable loss.

Two passengers miraculously survived, hospitalized with hypothermia, a stark reminder of the lake’s unpredictable and unforgiving nature. As investigators continue to piece together the details, one thing remains clear: this tragedy will forever mark a somber chapter in Lake Tahoe’s history.