A DoorDash executive and members of his family have been identified among the eight people who died in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe over the weekend.
Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, from San Francisco, died in the accident, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.
He worked as the global head of strategic sourcing and procurement in DoorDash’s finance team.
His parents, Paula Bozinovich, 71, and Terry Pickles, 73, from Redwood City, also died in the accident.
The other victims were identified as Pickles’ uncle Peter Bayes, 72, from Lincoln, California; Timothy O’Leary, 71, from Auburn, California; Theresa Giullari, 66, from Honeoye, New York; James Guck, 69, of Honeoye; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York.
Ten people were on the boat that capsized in South Lake Tahoe near D.L. Bliss State Park on Saturday afternoon as waves reached 8 feet in height.
Two people were immediately rescued from the water and hospitalized, but ultimately eight bodies were recovered from the water. The last missing person was recovered Monday.
“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 sheriff’s office said.
DoorDash told NBC News that the company was “heartbroken” by the accident.
“Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. During his nearly seven years at DoorDash, he brought a contagious spirit that lifted those around him. The loss of Josh is immeasurable. We miss him deeply and will carry his memory with us always,” the company said.
“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 statement continued.
Sam Singer, a spokesperson for the family, told NBC Bay Area the group was celebrating Bozinovich’s birthday on her son’s boat that he purchased a year ago.
Pickles’ wife had stayed home to take care of their 7-month daughter, he said, noting the couple split their time between the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe and had used the boat only twice before.
“The waves were so big that the water came onboard and started to fill the boat up and stalled the engine,” Singer said of the turbulent weather that saw winds top 35 mph Saturday on the lake.
Pickles’ wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, said in a statement: “We are devastated by this tragedy.”
“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. “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.”
