South Bay Father Dies In Lake Tahoe Drowning

SAN JOSE, CA — A Bay Area father died over the weekend in an accidental drowning while swimming off the east shore of Lake Tahoe, according to his family.

According to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, witnesses reported a potential drowning a few minutes before 1:30 p.m. Saturday, near Bonsai Rock. Search and rescue teams mobilized with members of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Nevada State Park Rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard and found an unresponsive man in the water.

The sheriff's office said the victim was rushed to nearby Sand Harbor where he was pronounced dead.

According to NBC Bay Area, the man's family has identified him as Francisco "Cisco" Villa, 39, of San Jose. Family and friends of the father of three launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses and support Villa's wife and children.

"He was a loving and dedicated father to his three beautiful girls," his family wrote in a statement shared in English and Spanish. "A shattering tragedy in their tender young lives. A devastating loss to all the family and friends."

The online fundraiser had raised nearly $19,000 of its $40,000 goal by Monday afternoon. A memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 31.