Reno Woman Killed in Frenchman Lake Boat Collision

FRENCHMAN LAKE — A 47-year-old Reno woman died Saturday after the personal watercraft she was operating collided with a recreational boat near the Frenchman Lake Boat Launch, according to the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office. The office identified the woman as Sandra Ann Skender in a release issued Monday. Investigators said alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

Plumas County emergency dispatchers received a Text-to-911 report of the collision at approximately 11:21 AM Saturday, July 11. Personnel from several agencies responded and immediately began lifesaving efforts, but Skender was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s release did not report any other injuries.

The preliminary account establishes only that Skender’s personal watercraft, also known as a jet ski, and a recreational boat collided on the lake. The investigation into the cause of the collision remains active.

Responders to the incident included the Plumas County Boat Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Care Flight, Eastern Plumas Health Care Ambulance, Beckwourth Peak Fire, sheriff’s deputies, and other emergency personnel. The sheriff’s office offered condolences to Skender’s family and friends and said no additional information would be released while the active investigation continues.

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.