TLC Tragedy Latest: Semi-Truck Driver Formally Charged in Fatal Car Crash That Killed 3 Beloved Family Members From Reality Show
**Semi-Truck Driver Arrested in Deadly Crash That Killed Three Members of TLC’s ‘Meet the Putmans’**
*Published October 1, 2025, 2:17 p.m. ET*
A semi-truck driver has been arrested and accused of causing a tragic crash that took the lives of three members of the family featured on the TLC show *Meet the Putmans*, RadarOnline.com reports. Five other family members were hospitalized, with some in critical condition.
**Driver Faces Multiple Charges**
Pavel B. Shchukin, 55, from Jacksonville, Florida, is facing eight counts related to the crash. On Friday, September 26th, Shchukin was driving a fully loaded semi-truck in Tuscola County, Michigan. According to police reports, eight members of the Putnam family were traveling eastbound in a Jeep on Deckerville Road when the southbound semi-truck failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the vehicle.
**Fatalities and Injuries Confirmed**
In a recent Instagram post, family member Isabelle confirmed that “Papa” Bill Putman, his wife Neenee, and their daughter-in-law, Aunt Megan, lost their lives in the crash. She also shared that “Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah, and Gia” were injured and hospitalized.
**Charges and Community Reactions**
Authorities have labeled the incident an “accident,” and Shchukin faces three counts of Moving Violation Causing Death and five counts of Moving Violation Causing Serious Impairment of a Body Function. If found guilty on all charges, he could face just over four years in prison.
The sentence has sparked reactions on the County Sheriff’s Facebook page, with many expressing that the penalties are too lenient. One commenter wrote, “It wasn’t an accident. It was a crash. It may not have been intentional, but it was negligent. A life has to be worth more than a year. No one deserves what happened to this family.” Another added, “That’s a slap on the wrist. He needs more time.” A third commenter attempted to analyze the situation, stating, “Everyone in a vehicle holds some kind of accountability for an accident. It doesn’t seem right for such little time for this crime, but again, it is classified as an accident.”
**Family Members Still Recovering**
*Meet the Putnams* aired for one season on TLC in 2017. The show followed three generations of the family living together in a modest six-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Michigan.
Over the weekend, the family shared an update on the condition of the injured members via Instagram:
> “Noah is still sedated, but we are so grateful to see that he is responding to us with movement. 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.”
**Request for Prayers**
The family has asked for continued prayers as Noah and Gia continue their recovery.
> “Through it all, we continue to hold tightly to our faith, knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for everything. Even in the hardest moments, He is present, working in ways we may not yet understand.
> Thank you all for the continued prayers, love, and support. We feel your strength and faith surrounding us. Please keep lifting Noah and Gia up as they heal.”
The community and fans of *Meet the Putnams* continue to offer support and condolences during this difficult time.
https://radaronline.com/p/tlc-tragedy-semi-truck-driver-charged-crash-killed-family-members-reality-show/
