Eight people died AVOIDABLE deaths on DoorDash executive's Lake Tahoe pleasure cruise because of two simple mistakes, report reveals

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:46, 14 May 2026 | Updated: 16:56, 14 May 2026 The drowning deaths of the eight people who were onboard a DoorDash executive's boat in Lake Tahoe were caused by two avoidable mistakes, according to a new report.  Joshua Pickles, a 37-year-old high-flying boss for the online food delivery service, took his family out for a pleasure cruise in the California water in his 27ft Chris-Craft boat on June 21, 2025, to celebrate his mother, Paula Bozinovich's 71st birthday.  His father, Terry Pickles, 73, and seven other family and friends gathered on the boat, called 'Over the Moon,' on what started as a clear day, but dark and stormy weather quickly took over, causing eight-foot-high waves that capsized the boat.  The family of three died in the boating disaster, along with Peter Bayes, 72; Timothy O’Leary, 71; Theresa Giullari, 66; James Guck, 69, and Stephen Lindsay, 63.  Amy Friduss, a 40-year-old nurse from New York, and her mother, Julie Lindsay, 65, were the only two survivors, and the only ones who wore life vests that day, according to police reports obtained by the Bay Area News Group.  If the deceased had worn the flotation devices that day, it is believed that they would still be alive, Doug Powell, the former commander of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department Marine Unit, stated in the report.  The boating safety expert also noted that the boat, which was operated by Joshua, was located in the rough area of Emerald Bay when the catastrophe occurred, per the report by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department. Staying in the relatively safe waters may have saved them, Powell added.  Failing to take proper safety precautions that day was not the only thing that is believed to have played a role in their deaths, with the report also stating that they tried to make it back on shore with a beverage cooler in hand as heavy waves crashed over them.  The eight people who died while onboard DoorDash executive Josh Pickles' boat died avoidable deaths after making two simple mistakes, according to a new report. (Pictured: Pickles  - center - with his mother, Paula Bozinovich  - left - and his father, Terry Pickles - right) The day started off clear, but dark and stormy weather quickly took over, causing eight-foot-high waves that made the boat capsize (pictured) They also did not call 911 for help before the 54F water took over and the boat stalled  approximately 50 to 100 yards off of D.L. Bliss State Park.  The vessel then flipped over after a massive wave crashed into it, sheriff's deputies detailed in the report.  According to an autopsy report released last August, six of the eight victims had alcohol in their systems that day. Friddus told El Dorado County Sheriff's deputy Mathew Grey that she tried her best to help everyone that day, but they had 'no sense of urgency.'  'The boat started to take on water from the waves and the engine stopped,' Grey's report stated.  The officer continued: 'She told everyone on board to keep bailing out water, but there was "no sense of urgency".  'The occupants of the boat began to argue and the boat turned sideways to the waves and wind. They began to take on even more water and things got worse. All of the sudden the boat flipped.'  The boat was recovered by a salvage company and later examined by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators and the Coast Guard, the report stated.  Amy Friduss, a 40-year-old nurse from New York, and her mother, Julie Lindsay (pictured together), 65, were the only two survivors, and the only ones who wore life vests that day The boating safety expert also noted that the boat, which was operated by Joshua (pictured), was located in the rough area of Emerald Bay when the catastrophe happened, per the report Officials found life jackets still in the boat's storage compartments and determined there was no evidence of grounding or a hull leak, according to the report.  A hull leak is a breach in a boat that causes water to enter the vessel, and grounding is when a vessel's underwater gear makes contact with a reef, seabed or shore, causing it to stall.  Life jackets are only required for children aged 13 and under to wear while on moving recreational vessels. Adults do not have to put them on.  The boat operator does have to make sure there are enough personal flotation devices for everyone onboard. Following the tragedy, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, Pickles' wife, revealed how many of her family members she lost that day.  '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 in a statement at the time.  '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.' Officials found life jackets still in the boat's storage compartments and determined there was no evidence of grounding or a hull leak, according to the report Lindsay and Friduss also suffered unimaginable tragedy after their father and husband, Stephen 'Zippy' Lindsay, died in the water. (Pictured: Stephen and Julie Lindsay) Sugar-Carlsgaard stayed on shore with her and Pickles' seven-month-old daughter that day.  Both survivors, Lindsay and Friduss, also suffered unimaginable tragedy after their father and husband, Stephen 'Zippy' Lindsay, died in the water.  At the time, Lindsay had just retired and 'was planning on spending her years with her husband,' according to a GoFundMe page set up for the mother and daughter.  'Hold your loved ones tight. Be kind. Embrace every moment of this beautiful, fragile life,' the fundraiser added.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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