Deadly Storm Flips Boat, Kills DoorDash Exec and Family
The summer storm rolled in fast — too fast. One moment, it was sunshine and celebration on Lake Tahoe. The next, it was 8-foot waves and a desperate fight for survival. What was supposed to be a joyful family outing ended in unthinkable tragedy.
A Sudden Turn on a Celebratory Day
On June 21, Joshua Antony Pickles, a 37-year-old San Francisco executive at DoorDash, set out on a boating trip to celebrate his mother's 71st birthday. The plan was simple: enjoy the lake with close friends and family aboard a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat near D.L. Bliss State Park in South Lake Tahoe.
But the Sierra is known for its unpredictability — and this time, nature struck with deadly force.
At around 3 p.m., as a rare but violent storm system surged through the area, massive winds topping 45 mph churned up 8-foot swells. The powerful gusts quickly overwhelmed the boat, stalling the engine and capsizing the vessel, tossing all 10 passengers into the frigid water.
A Search and Rescue Becomes a Recovery
Initial emergency calls reported people overboard as the storm battered the lake. First responders rushed to the scene, recovering six bodies immediately and rescuing two survivors — Amy Friduss and her mother, Julie Lindsay — who were rushed to the hospital and are recovering. The final two victims were found over the next two days.
Among those lost were Pickles, his parents Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula Bozinovich, 71, his uncle Peter Bayes, 72, and four family friends from New York and California. They were identified as Timothy O'Leary, 71; Theresa Giullari, 66; James Guck, 69; and Stephen Lindsay, 63.
The suddenness of the disaster shocked even seasoned locals. "We had a freak Sierra storm come through and it was incredibly destructive," South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace told ABC10. She also added that she had never seen a storm like that in 28 years of living in the area.
A Life of Inspiration and Impact
Pickles was more than a successful executive — he was a husband, a father to a 7-month-old daughter, and a leader admired by colleagues. He joined DoorDash nearly seven years ago, rising to become the Global Head of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. His energy and kindness left a lasting mark.
DoorDash CFO Ravi Inukonda told NBC News that the company was "heartbroken and added, "Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."
Pickles' widow, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, shared her devastation publicly, confirming the victims' identities and expressing deep gratitude to first responders. She had stayed home with their daughter that day — a decision that spared her life but not her heartbreak.
Questions in the Wake of Tragedy
Investigators say the boat was owned by Pickles and his father and had only been used a couple of times before the fatal outing. Family spokesperson Sam Singer described the incident as a "terrible heartbreaking tragedy," emphasizing how swiftly the conditions changed, according to USA Today.
The storm, while unusual, wasn't unprecedented in the Sierra region. Meteorologist Chris Smallcomb told reporters that the system wasn't expected to produce intense lake winds — but it did, with a vengeance.
With no formal lake warning system in place, experts and officials now face tough questions about whether anything could have been done to prevent the loss.
Remembering the Lives Lost
As the families begin the difficult process of mourning, the Lake Tahoe community remains shaken. The Pickles family had deep roots in both the Bay Area and the Tahoe region. Their story — one of joy cut short — is a reminder of how quickly life can change.
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References: DoorDash executive, his parents among 8 victims identified in deadly Lake Tahoe boat accident | Who is Josh Pickles? DoorDash exec dies after boat capsized on Lake Tahoe | DoorDash exec and his parents ID'd as victims of deadly Lake Tahoe boating accident that killed 5 others | 'Healing after heartbreak': Mother, daughter survived fatal Lake Tahoe boat accident
