3 Members of TLC’s ‘Meet the Putmans’ Family Killed in Michigan Crash

The driver of the truck that collided with the Putmans’ Jeep was arrested. The family became known in 2017 through the short-lived TLC reality series.

Truck driver Pavel B. Shchukin faces charges including three counts of moving violation causing death. Tuscola County Sheriff's Office

Three members of a Michigan family who once appeared in a TLC reality series were killed in a car accident late last week, and five others were hospitalized with injuries.

The Putman family confirmed through a statement posted to social media that Bill “Papa” Putman, his wife Barb—known to the family as “Neenee”—and their daughter-in-law Megan died after their vehicle was struck on Sept. 26.

According to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, a semi-truck traveling southbound failed to stop and collided with the Putmans’ Jeep, which was moving eastbound. Authorities said three people inside the Jeep were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The driver and passenger of the semi-truck were also injured.

Officials identified the truck driver as 55-year-old Pavel B. Shchukin. He has been charged with three counts of moving violation causing death and five counts of moving violation causing serious impairment of a body function. He was booked into the Tuscola County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

In the statement, the family requested prayers for those who survived the crash: Blake Putman, his children Lulu, Alena, and Noah, as well as his niece Gia.

A follow-up statement shared by relatives over the weekend said Noah remains sedated but is showing signs of responsiveness, while Gia underwent surgery to relieve brain swelling and has shown improvement.

“Noah is still sedated, but we are so grateful to see that he is responding to us with movement,” the statement read. “Gia underwent a craniotomy last night, and we are thankful to report that her care team shared some encouraging news, her brain pressure has gone down significantly.”

“We feel your strength and faith surrounding us. Please keep listing Noah and Gia up as they heal,” it added.

The Putmans became known in 2017 through the short-lived TLC reality series “Meet the Putmans,” which documented the lives of Bill and Barb, their four adult children, their spouses, and grandchildren all sharing a large home in Michigan. The show ran for six episodes and later continued in a YouTube spinoff, “Growing Up Putman.”

In the spinoff’s first episode, Bill Putman spoke about the nature of his large family. “We’re a crazy, fun-loving, adventurous family. And when we do things, we do them big.”

The Tuscola County prosecutor’s office released a statement urging motorists to exercise caution following a series of deadly crashes in the region. “We are asking the public to please pay more attention when driving. We are having far too many crashes that are destroying people’s lives,” the statement read.

Funeral arrangements for the deceased members of the Putman family have not yet been announced.