A family’s joyful birthday celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy over the weekend when a boat capsized during a sudden storm on Lake Tahoe, leaving eight people dead, including four family members.
The family, from Northern California, was celebrating Paula Bozinovich's 71st birthday on her son’s boat when the storm swept in. Among those lost were Josh Pickles, 37, of San Francisco; his parents, Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula; and Josh’s uncle, Peter Bayes, 72.
“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,” Josh’s wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, shared in a family statement. “Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe.”
Josh and Jordan, who married in 2023, had recently welcomed a daughter, just seven months old. Jordan had stayed home to care for their baby while Josh joined the family outing, which makes the loss even more painful for the young mother now left to navigate life with their daughter.
The couple had split their time between the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe and had only used their boat twice before. “The waves were so big that the water came onboard and started to fill the boat up and stalled the engine,” said family spokesperson Sam Singer, describing the storm’s sudden and fierce arrival.
Ten people were on board when the 27-foot boat capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Two people were rescued shortly after, but their conditions have not been released.
Josh worked at DoorDash for nearly seven years and was known for his kindness and dedication. “Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” shared Ravi Inukonda, Chief Financial Officer at DoorDash. “Our thoughts and love are with his wife, his daughter, his family, and all who were close to him.”
As families across the country enter summer and prepare for time on the water, this tragedy is a reminder of how quickly life can change. What was meant to be a day of celebration turned into a day of unimaginable loss for a family who had gathered in love.
In moments like this, the love and support of family, friends, and community often help carry those left behind through grief. May we hold the Pickles and Bozinovich families close in our prayers as they mourn, and may we all cherish the moments we have with those we love, for they are more precious than we often realize.
