Tragic Tahoe Birthday Bash: DoorDash Exec Josh Pickles’ Final Voyage
Buckle up—this family celebration took a shocking turn into tragedy. The Pickles clan set sail on Lake Tahoe June 21 to toast matriarch Paula Bozinovich’s 71st birthday, only to see their 27-foot Chris-Craft capsized by a sudden swell, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s June 22 press release. This wasn’t just any boating outing—it was meant to be an exclusive summer fête for DoorDash exec Josh Pickles and his loved ones. Instead, it made headlines as one of California’s deadliest maritime disasters since 2019.
Here’s the raw scoop: DoorDash’s 37-year-old senior vice president of finance, Josh Pickles, his parents Terry Pickles (73) and Paula Bozinovich (71), and his uncle Peter Bayes (72) vanished under terrifying conditions when seven-foot swells toppled the boat (US Coast Guard). Family spokesperson Sam Singer told ABC7 San Francisco that the group “loves the lake,” underlining the cruel irony of a pastime turning lethal. Alongside the Pickles family, long-time friends Timothy O’Leary (71), James Guck (69), Theresa Giullari (66), and Stephen Lindsay (63) also perished. Two survivors clung to life and were rushed to a nearby hospital, though their status remains private.
Spill the tea on grief: Josh’s wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, held back on the water that day but is now facing an unimaginable loss—she and Josh share a seven-month-old daughter. In a heartfelt statement to ABC7, Jordan confessed, “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.” From DoorDash headquarters, CFO Ravi Inukonda echoed the sentiment of shock and sorrow: “Josh brought a contagious spirit that lifted those around him. His loss is immeasurable.”
What really went wrong? Weather reports from the National Weather Service warned of sudden gusts and high waves that afternoon—conditions that can overwhelm even seasoned boaters. Investigators from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office are combing through marine logs and meteorological data to piece together how a routine birthday cruise capsized so violently.
This heartbreaking event joins a grim roster of Lake Tahoe boating tragedies, and it’s a wake-up call for anyone who thinks summer fun is risk-free. Family, friends, and colleagues have launched memorial funds to honor the Pickles legacy and help survivors rebuild.
But the big question still looms: will stricter safety measures on Tahoe’s waters prevent another catastrophe? Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the investigation, uncover eye-opening details, and chart the next chapter in this harrowing saga.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and U.S. Coast Guard press release, June 22; ABC7 San Francisco; E! News; DoorDash CFO Ravi Inukonda statement
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
