The only people who survived a boating accident in Lake Tahoe shared a common trait

A festive family gathering turned tragic recently when a boat overturned during an unexpected storm on Lake Tahoe, resulting in the loss of eight lives and hospitalization of two other individuals.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the group had gathered for a 71st birthday celebration for Paula Bozinovich.

The victims were identified as Bozinovich, 71, and her spouse, Terry Pickles, 73, from Redwood City, California; their offspring, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, a San Francisco resident and executive at DoorDash; as well as Peter Bayes, 72, a family relative from Lincoln, California.

The casualties also included four acquaintances: Timothy O’Leary, 71, from Auburn, California; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both from Honeoye, New York; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, from Springwater, New York.

“These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake,” the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 24 statement. “We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event.”

Emergency response teams from multiple jurisdictions, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Coast Guard, mounted a massive search-and-rescue operation. 

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search at D.L. Bliss State Park after a boat capsized, killing several people, on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Lake Tahoe, California. (AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

In the wake of the tragedy, officials reiterated the importance of weather awareness, life jacket use and float plans. 

“Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly,” warned Smith. “Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued.”

Emergency response teams from multiple jurisdictions mounted a massive search-and-rescue operation. (AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

Six bodies were recovered on the day of the incident. The remaining two were found in the days that followed, with the final recovery made on Monday afternoon.

“The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies,” the sheriff’s office said. 

The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams such as the Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams, the department said.

A beach at D.L. Bliss State Park after a weekend accident claimed eight lives, on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Lake Tahoe. (AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

In a statement to Fox News Digital, DoorDash mourned the loss of Joshua Pickles, calling him “a cherished colleague and beloved friend whose energy and compassion will be deeply missed.”

“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 Pickles’ wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, said in the statement Tuesday to the Associated Press. “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 Pickles’ wife had stayed at home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter, Sam Singer, a family spokesperson, told the outlet. The couple, who married in 2023, both worked at tech companies in San Francisco. Josh worked at DoorDash, and Jordan at Airbnb, Singer said.