Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 3:46
A weekend boating trip turned deadly at Frenchman Lake when a personal watercraft and a recreational boat collided near the boat launch. The Plumas County Sheriff's Office confirmed that alcohol is suspected in the crash, which killed the watercraft operator.
On Saturday, July 11, at approximately 11:21 a.m., dispatchers received a text-to-911 call reporting a collision near the Frenchman Lake boat launch. Emergency responders from the Plumas County Boat Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Care Flight, Eastern Plumas Health Care Ambulance, and Beckwourth Peak Fire arrived and began lifesaving efforts. Despite their actions, the operator of the personal watercraft was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified as Sandra Ann Skender, 47, of Reno, Nevada. The sheriff's release did not report any other injuries.
The Plumas County Sheriff's Office stated that the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but alcohol is believed to have been a factor. Sergeant Chandler Peay told CBS News Sacramento that no arrests had been made as of Saturday, and no further information was available for release as of Monday afternoon. The occupants of the recreational boat have not been identified, and potential enforcement actions have not been disclosed. California law prohibits operating a recreational vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In its 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics report, the U.S. Coast Guard identified alcohol as the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents, accounting for 20% of deaths in which a primary cause was known.
Frenchman Lake is located in Plumas County, about 160 miles northeast of Sacramento and 38 miles northwest of Reno. The reservoir is a popular destination for boating and fishing, situated within the Plumas National Forest. The Beckwourth area, near the lake, is a small unincorporated community in Plumas County, known for its outdoor recreational opportunities.
Boating accidents on California waterways are relatively rare but often have serious consequences. According to California State Parks, alcohol use is a leading factor in fatal boating accidents statewide, contributing to about 17% of boating fatalities. The Plumas County Sheriff's Office has previously investigated boating incidents on Frenchman Lake, which is a known spot for water sports.
The investigation into the fatal collision continues. The Plumas County Sheriff's Office extended condolences to Skender's family and thanked the responding agencies. No further details have been released at this time.
