Latest news with #PaulaBozinovich
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Terrifying new video shows 10ft waves after 'freak storm' shook Lake Tahoe leaving EIGHT dead
Eight people were killed on the California side of Lake Tahoe when a sudden, violent storm struck without warning - unleashing 10-foot waves, pounding hail, and torrential rain that capsized their boat. Ten boaters aboard a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out to Lake Tahoe Saturday afternoon, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a birthday celebration, as reported by ABC 7 News. But the day turned deadly when an unexpected, powerful storm exploded over the lake, capsizing their boat without warning - an apocalyptic scene captured in stomach-churning video footage. Tragically, eight people were killed in the disaster: Paula Bozinovich, 71, Terry Pickles, 73, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, Peter Bayes, 72, Timothy O'Leary, 71, Theresa Giullari, 66, James Guck, 69 and Stephen Lindsay, 63. 'It's the worst situation I've seen on the lake,' South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace told the Los Angeles Times, describing it as an 'unspeakable tragedy.' On Saturday morning, the conditions outside were perfect for a carefree weekend outing - clear skies, gentle breezes and steadily rising temperatures. Despite a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms - a common occurrence for seasoned boaters - hundreds still took to the water that day. However, around 2 pm, something shifted - some boaters spotted whitecaps forming on the water, while others noticed the wind suddenly picking up, blowing fiercely from the north, as reported by the LA Times. From that moment, conditions rapidly deteriorated, turning a calm day into a desperate race against time and nature - as relentless waves, hurricane-force winds, snow, and hail engulfed the lake within minutes. 'It felt like we were in a tsunami that was starting,' Brittany Glick, who was on a pontoon celebrating a bachelorette party, told NPR. 'I had never experienced anything like that.' Terrifying video footage from the storm showed dozens of boats battling the fierce, churning waters - crashing into each other as they struggled to withstand the intense power of the waves. Some vessels broke free from their moorings, while others sank or crashed into nearby piers. Several buoys were also washed ashore, according to the LA Times. 'It was a lot of helping people,' Wallace added, as reported by the outlet. But before many could reach shore amid the chaos, several boats capsized, hurling passengers into the raging, churning waters. 'We were shaken up seeing all the boats flipped,' Glick said, as reported by NPR. 'And being drenched in that water, we were so cold. We were shaking uncontrollably. Our feet were numb, and our toes were turning blue.' 'That was probably one of the scariest moments I've had in my 30 years,' she added. 'The storm came in so quick. It was terrifying.' 🚨 "HOLY SH*T!!" WHAT THE HELL JUST HIT LAKE TAHOE? A massive freak storm out of nowhere - snow, hail, 10-foot waves, and hurricane-force winds in late June. Boats capsizing and crashing into each other, 6 dead, 2 missing. This wasn't weather… it was a f*cking strike. — HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) June 23, 2025 At around 3pm, multiple people reported seeing 10 people in the water after their boat capsized, while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high, according to a news release from the El Dorado Sheriff's Office. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where officials successfully rescued two people who had been aboard the ten-person boat. Tragically, six bodies were recovered from the water shortly after capsizing. The two survivors - one of whom swam to shore - were transported to a local hospital in unknown condition, as reported by The Sacramento Bee. The following afternoon, a seventh victim was found, and on Monday afternoon, the final missing boater was discovered deceased - bringing the death toll to eight. Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich, ABC 7 reported. Two other victims were also from California: Josh Pickles' uncle, 72-year-old Peter Bayes, and 71-year-old Timothy O'Leary. 'This is a terrible heartbreaking tragedy that took the lives of Joshua Pickles, his father Terry, his mother Paula, his uncle Peter as well as friends and family, all of whom were out on the lake celebrating the 71st birthday of his mother,' Sam Singer, a family spokesperson, told ABC. 'The family has homes in the Bay Area as well as on Lake Tahoe,' he added. 'They love the lake. That adds to the tragedy that has occurred.' The three remaining victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari, 69-year-old James Guck and 63-year-old Stephen Lindsay - were visiting from New York. But even boaters who managed to reach shore during the storm weren't out of danger - many suffered after falling into the frigid water, which remained below 60 degrees throughout the day, LA Times reported. 'There was just a massive amount of people that were in hypothermia or shock,' Joby Cefalu, a lifelong Tahoe boater, told the outlet. Cefalu, along with marina staff and local residents, quickly set up a makeshift triage area, working tirelessly for nearly two hours to assist at least 60 people in need. 'I'm on the water a great deal of days of the year... I've been in just about every type of condition, and that was just something I've never seen happen so fast,' he said. 'It was just a tragic day on Lake Tahoe.' The storm even caught forecasters off guard, with meteorologist Matthew Chyba of the National Weather Service in Nevada admitting, 'We weren't expecting it to be so strong.' A nearby weather station recorded wind speeds reaching 45 mph during the disaster, while meteorologists now attribute the extreme conditions to the convergence of an unseasonal cold front and a cluster of thunderstorms, The Sacramento Bee reported. Saturday's storm, which cleared out within two hours, marks the deadliest boating incident in California since 2019.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bay Area family, DoorDash exec among 8 victims in deadly Lake Tahoe boating accident
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The eight people who died in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe during powerful storms over the weekendwere identified Tuesday by El Dorado County officials. Several of the victims, who were on the boat celebrating a birthday, were from the Bay Area. Five of the victims were from Northern California and three were from Upstate New York. Most of those on board were in their 60s and 70s, according to the coroner. Four of the victims were in the same family. The birthday trip was for Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City, family spokesperson Sam Singer said. Her husband, Terry Pickles, 73, and son, Josh Pickles, 37, of San Francisco, were also on board and died. Singer said the family's uncle, Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, Calif., was also killed. MORE COVERAGE: Coast Guard suspends search of 2 missing in deadly boat capsizing at Lake Tahoe The others were friends on the boat. They were identified as Timothy O'Leary, 71, from Auburn, Calif; Theresa Giullari, 66, from Honeoye, NY; James Guck, 69, from Honeoye, NY; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, from Springwater, NY. "We are devastated by this tragedy," Josh Pickles' widow, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, said in a statement. "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. Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe." Dig deeper Josh Pickles was the global head of strategic sourcing and procurement, within the finance team at DoorDash, where he worked for seven years. In a statement, DoorDash CFO Ravi Inukonda said the company is "heartbroken" about its "beloved colleague." He said that Josh Pickles was an "inspiration" to his team, and brought a "contagious spirit that lifted those around him." He also shared that Josh Pickles had a daughter. Josh Pickles and Sugar-Carlsgaard were married in 2023, according to an online wedding registry. A photographer shared photos of the pair from the wedding in Colorado. The backstory The 27-foot Chris-Craft vessel capsized on Saturday evening in the lake near D.L. Bliss State Park. The family told KTVU that the boat was owned by Josh Pickles. The boating accident occurred during an unusual summer thunderstorm that brought strong wind gusts and forceful waves to Lake Tahoe. Video from Saturday shows powerful storm conditions. A total of 10 people were on the boat Saturday afternoon. Two people survived.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Victims identified in Lake Tahoe boat capsize tragedy during family birthday celebration
The victims of the Lake Tahoe boat capsizing have been formally identified by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division. Eight people lost their lives in the tragedy, including four people from the same family who were celebrating a birthday. Five of those killed were from northern California, and three were from upstate New York. Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City, California, was on a birthday trip with her husband, Terry Pickles, 73; their son, Joshua Pickles, 37, of San Francisco, and an uncle, Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, California. All four lost their lives. The other victims were friends on the boat and have been identified as 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. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that it extends its deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. A statement from Joshua Pickles' widow, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, provided spokesperson Sam Singer, reads: 'We are devastated by this tragedy. 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.' It continues: 'Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe." Two people were rescued immediately after the boat flipped over. Their identities and conditions have not been released. Ten people were on board the 27-foot (8-meter) gold Chris-Craft vessel when it capsized Saturday afternoon near D.L. Bliss State Park on the lake's southwest edge as the storm whipped up high waves, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. Six bodies were recovered later Saturday, a seventh was found Sunday evening, and the eighth was located Monday, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. The intensity of the thunderstorm surprised even forecasters, who had predicted rain but nothing like the squall that lashed the southern part of the lake around 3 p.m., said meteorologist Matthew Chyba with the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada. Winds topped 35 mph (56 kph) and waves swelled up more than eight feet (2.5 meters). 'We weren't expecting it to be so strong,' Chyba said Monday. He said temperatures in the area were far below normal for this time of year, which could have contributed to the unstable air mass. Drowning and other accidental deaths have occurred in recent years on the lake, but boating accidents with numerous fatalities are rare. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department told KCRA-TV in 2022 that there are an average of six deaths on the lake each summer, though there were a record 15 fatalities in 2021. With reporting from the Associated Press
The Independent
17 hours ago
- The Independent
Victims identified in Lake Tahoe boat capsize tragedy during family birthday celebration
The victims of the Lake Tahoe boat capsizing have been formally identified by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division. Eight people lost their lives in the tragedy, including four people from the same family who were celebrating a birthday. Five of those killed were from northern California, and three were from upstate New York. Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City, California, was on a birthday trip with her husband, Terry Pickles, 73; their son, Joshua Pickles, 37, of San Francisco, and an uncle, Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, California. All four lost their lives. The other victims were friends on the boat and have been identified as 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. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that it extends its deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. A statement from Joshua Pickles' widow, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, provided spokesperson Sam Singer, reads: 'We are devastated by this tragedy. 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.' It continues: 'Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe." Two people were rescued immediately after the boat flipped over. Their identities and conditions have not been released. Ten people were on board the 27-foot (8-meter) gold Chris-Craft vessel when it capsized Saturday afternoon near D.L. Bliss State Park on the lake's southwest edge as the storm whipped up high waves, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. Six bodies were recovered later Saturday, a seventh was found Sunday evening, and the eighth was located Monday, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. The intensity of the thunderstorm surprised even forecasters, who had predicted rain but nothing like the squall that lashed the southern part of the lake around 3 p.m., said meteorologist Matthew Chyba with the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada. Winds topped 35 mph (56 kph) and waves swelled up more than eight feet (2.5 meters). 'We weren't expecting it to be so strong,' Chyba said Monday. He said temperatures in the area were far below normal for this time of year, which could have contributed to the unstable air mass. Drowning and other accidental deaths have occurred in recent years on the lake, but boating accidents with numerous fatalities are rare. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department told KCRA-TV in 2022 that there are an average of six deaths on the lake each summer, though there were a record 15 fatalities in 2021.
San Francisco Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
S.F. man among 8 victims identified in Lake Tahoe boat accident after sudden storm
Authorities on Tuesday released the names of the eight victims killed when a powerboat capsized during a sudden storm on Lake Tahoe over the weekend. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victims as Paula Bozinovich, 71, and Terry Pickles, 73, both of Redwood City, Calif.; Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, of San Francisco; Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, Calif.; Timothy O'Leary, 71, of Auburn, Calif.; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, N.Y.; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, N.Y. 'The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event,' the department said in a statement. Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, the widow of Joshua Pickles, said in a statement that the victims had been enjoying a 'joyful time' together on the lake before the deadly storm swept in. 'We lost my loving husband Josh Pickles, his parents Terry Pickles and Paula Bozinovich, and Uncle Peter Bayes, as well as friends in this tragedy,' she said, calling the loss 'devastating.' Sugar-Carlsgaard added, 'No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost.' She expressed gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and regional first responders, saying the family was 'profoundly thankful for their help in the tragic situation.' The accident occurred Saturday afternoon when a 27-foot Chris-Craft Launch sank near D.L. Bliss State Park as a fast-moving squall swept across the lake. The storm brought 8-foot waves and wind gusts exceeding 35 mph, overwhelming the vessel carrying 10 people. Two passengers survived and were hospitalized with injuries and hypothermia. Rescue and recovery efforts spanned three days, with divers from multiple counties assisting. The final body was recovered Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard had searched more than 390 square miles before suspending its rescue operations Sunday morning. 'Suspending a search is always a difficult decision to make and weighs heavily on each Coast Guard member involved,' said Cmdr. David Herndon. The sheriff's office thanked more than a dozen agencies involved in the operation, including the U.S. Coast Guard, California State Parks, and multiple local fire and law enforcement departments.
