James Guck dies in fatal Lake Tahoe boat accident
Fatal Lake Tahoe boat accident death of James Guck
James Guck, 69, from Honeoye, New York, has been identified as one of the eight people who died in a boating tragedy on Lake Tahoe on June 21, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Coroner.
The deadly accident occurred when a boat carrying ten individuals overturned near D.L. Bliss State Park amid a sudden and violent storm. Guck was among the victims pulled from the water after waves up to eight feet high struck the vessel. Six bodies were located shortly after the incident, while Guck and one other were found during extended search operations conducted Sunday night and Monday.
Others who died in the same incident included Paula Bozinovich, Terry Pickles, Joshua Pickles, Peter Bayes, Timothy O’Leary, Theresa Giullari, and Stephen Lindsay. Only two individuals aboard the boat survived and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The storm, described by locals and officials as a rare and forceful weather event, swept across Lake Tahoe unexpectedly. South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace said she had never experienced such a powerful storm in her 28 years in the area. Video from witnesses captured boats crashing into docks and one another as the storm intensified.
Meteorologist Chris Smallcomb with the National Weather Service in Reno said the storm’s strength caught many by surprise, with gusts reaching 45 mph. He noted that while these weather systems are not entirely rare in the Sierra, their sudden impact on the lake is not always predictable.
A statement from Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, the widow of another victim, confirmed that the boating group included close family and friends. She expressed immense sorrow over the deaths and extended gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard, El Dorado County deputies, and other emergency teams for their support and rescue efforts.
This incident stands as one of the most devastating boating accidents in Lake Tahoe’s recent history, claiming the lives of multiple families and friends during what was intended to be a joyful gathering.
