Tragedy has struck the stars of a former TLC reality show.
The Putman family of TLC’s Meet the Putmans revealed over the weekend that several members of their family were involved in a tragic car crash that left three dead and several others injured.
The family announced the news Saturday morning on Instagram, confirming that Putman patriarch Bill “Papa” Putman had been killed in the accident, along with his wife, Barb “Neenee” Putman, and the couple’s daughter-in-law Megan Putman– wife of Blake Putman.
Viewers may remember the Putman family from TLC’s ‘Meet the Putmans,’ which followed the lives of Bill and Barb and their four children (sons Blake, Brandon and Billy and daughter Blair), and grandchildren, all living together in a 35,000-square-foot home. The series aired for six episodes in 2017. The family revived the show on YouTube in 2021 as Growing Up Putman.
“Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan,” the family’s statement read. “ … Please keep Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah and Gia in your prayers as they remain in the hospital, we are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them.”
According to TMZ, eight members of the Putman family were involved in the crash Friday night in Tuscola County, Michigan, when a semi-truck collided with their Jeep. The driver of the semi-truck– a 55-year-old man from Florida– reportedly ran a stop sign, causing the fatal accident. (The man and his passenger were transported to the hospital for minor injuries and the driver was ultimately arrested.)
While Bill, Barb and Megan were pronounced dead at the scene, the five other passengers in the family’s vehicle were transported to the hospital.
On Sunday, the family revealed in an update that Noah– son of Blake and Megan– remains sedated, but “is responding to us with movement.”
Blake– a doctor in Caro, Michigan— posted that his medical office will be closed on Monday. In the comment section, patients revealed that Blake is in a neck brace but has checked himself out of the hospital to be with his children. A memorial has been created in front of Blake’s medical building.
Blake and Megan celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary earlier this month. According to a post on Blake’s medical office’s Facebook page, the couple met during their freshman year of college.
In addition to the update on Noah, the Putnam family also shared that Gia– daughter of Brandon and Kacie Putman– underwent a craniotomy on Saturday.
“We are thankful to report that her care team shared some encouraging news, her brain pressure has gone down significantly,” the family’s statement read. “This is a powerful reminder that God’s hand is on her, guiding her healing every step of the way.”
UPDATE! According to The Sun, the man who was driving the semi-truck that hit the Putnams’ car has been arrested and charged with eight counts— including three counts of “moving violation causing death” (one count for each of the three family members killed). He was also charged with five counts of “moving violation causing serious impairment of a body function” (one count for each injured family member– Blake, Alena, Gia, Lillian and Noah).
The “moving violation causing death” counts carry a one-year maximum sentence, if convicted, according to an announcement posted to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page on Monday. The “moving violation causing serious impairment of a body function” carries a 93-day maximum sentence, if convicted.
The driver— a Florida man named Pavel B. Shcukin— is being held in the Tuscola County Jail on a $100,000 cash or surety bond. The county’s Sheriff’s Department told The Sun that they are investigating a possible video showing the crash, which happened on a rural county road.
“There’s no video footage from the roadway; it’d be from the camera within the semi, and if it was recording,” a deputy told the site, adding that investigators are waiting to see if the trucking company the man worked for will cooperate and hand over the footage, if it exists.
“If the [trucking] company cooperates with us just by requesting it, then we won’t have to do a search warrant,” he stated.
You can learn more about the Putnam family by watching the video below.
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(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
11 Responses
As someone whose FOO and created family were both heavily impacted by TBIs, I wish the best for the injured young ones. I hope that since their brains are still developing they will be able to form any new neural pathways easier to compensate to any loses. I’ll never forget seeing my mom in a hockey helmet part of her skull removed begging to go home to see their dog. Thankfully a young neurologist talked her out of checking out AMA. Mind you she was missing part of her skull. Brain injuries just suck.
The way people are allowed to destroy people lives and livelihood in auto crashes and walk away unscathed is also so incredibly frustrating.
Wish this family all the best in dealing with their grief and recovery.
Don’t know these ppl but I’m assuming it’s more dumb fundies. Why is TLC so obsessed with them?
Does that really matter? If you think so, then I think something is wrong with your ability to feel empathy.
If that is your first response to hearing a family has been shattered by multiple members being killed and injured in a horrific car crash, then I recommend you do some serious introspection. What does their religion have to do with anything in this story? Seriously, be a better freaking human being. Just wow.
Right. I absolutely agree with you. I find this extremely sad. No matter what religion. They have people who love them. There are good people in every religion. Bad ones too. Just like everything else in life. I’m an atheist and it does not make it any less sad because of their religion.
He murders 3 people and severely injured 5 more and that’s all the time he is going to get?! WTF!! That’s ridiculous. There are go fund me’s up for 2 of the kids. Both are in the ICU and intubated. The other little girl just had a piece of her skull removed because her brain continues to swell. I know the family is trying desperately to remain positive but those poor kids are still critical. If they survive and I hope they do no one knows the permanent damage this may have caused. And then you have this asshole getting less time than someone who has pot in a baggie.
Those maximums are weak af. If he gets all of them, that’s not even 5yrs for KILLING THREE PEOPLE because he didn’t feel like stopping 🙄
The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer both fit 8 passengers
How do 8 people fit in a Jeep?
Jeep Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer Both can seat 8 people – or they had a grand Cherokee and they weren’t following the law.