Terry Pickles dies in fatal Lake Tahoe boat accident
Fatal Lake Tahoe boat accident death of Terry Pickles
Terry Pickles, 73, of Redwood City, California, was officially named as one of the eight people who tragically lost their lives when a boat capsized during a sudden storm on Lake Tahoe on June 21, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Coroner .
The tragedy unfolded near D.L. Bliss State Park when rapidly intensifying winds and towering waves struck the Chris-Craft powerboat carrying ten passengers. Six victims were retrieved soon after the capsizing; Terry Pickles and another individual were recovered during extended search efforts Sunday night and Monday .
Among those who perished alongside Terry were his wife Paula Bozinovich and son Joshua Pickles—and his uncle Peter Bayes—as well as Timothy O’Leary, Theresa Giullari, James Guck, and Stephen Lindsay . Two people survived and were hospitalized.
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace described the storm as “unprecedented” in her 28 years in the area. Meteorologist Chris Smallcomb noted that although late-season Sierra storms aren’t rare, this one brought sudden, intense winds up to 45 mph—overwhelming the boat in mere moments .
Eyewitness video depicted boats crashing into docks and each other amid chaotic conditions, leaving little chance for those on board to return to safety once the storm struck. Officials emphasized the sheer speed and force of the weather, which allowed almost no time for response .
The boating disaster stands as one of the deadliest in Lake Tahoe’s recent history—turning what was meant to be a celebratory birthday outing into a heartbreaking tragedy for multiple families.
