A devastating boating accident on Lake Tahoe has claimed the life of DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with seven others, in what is now considered California’s deadliest boating tragedy since 2019.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on June 21, when Pickles, 37, took his family and friends out for a birthday celebration on the lake aboard his 27-foot Chris-Craft luxury powerboat. They were celebrating his mother Paula Bozinovic’s 71st birthday when the boat capsized during a sudden storm around 5 p.m., according to 911 calls.
Among the victims were Josh Pickles’ parents, 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovic; his uncle Peter Bayes, 72; and family friends Timothy O’Leary, 71; James Guck, 69; Theresa Giullari, 66; and Stephen Lindsay, 63. Only two people survived the accident, though their current condition has not yet been disclosed.
Josh’s wife, Jordan Pickles, was not on board at the time. She had stayed behind on shore with their 7-month-old daughter. In a statement shared after the tragedy, she expressed the unbearable grief she now faces. “We are devastated by this tragedy,” she said. “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, who served as the Global Head of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at DoorDash, had been with the company for nearly seven years. His professional impact was honored by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Ravi Inukonda, who remembered him as a passionate and inspiring colleague. “Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” Inukonda said. “The loss of Josh is immeasurable. We miss him deeply and will carry his memory with us always.”
He also extended condolences to Josh’s surviving family, noting, “Our thoughts and love are with his wife, his daughter, his family, and all who were close to him. We are working to support them through this incredibly difficult time.”
The Pickles family was known to have homes in both the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. A family spokesperson described their love for the lake, which now adds another painful layer to the tragedy. “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. They loved the lake,” the rep said.
The boating tragedy, triggered by sudden and violent weather conditions, serves as a grim reminder of how quickly things can turn fatal on the water. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of lives that were meant to be celebrating a joyful occasion. Josh Pickles is remembered not just for his leadership at DoorDash but also as a dedicated family man and loving father.
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