GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Three members of a well-known TV family have died after a crash in Michigan’s Thumb region.
A tragic accident occurred around 9 p.m. on Friday night just outside Cass City, situated 40 miles east of Saginaw, according to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office. Reports indicate that Bill and Barb Putman, the heads of a notable family, along with their daughter-in-law Megan, lost their lives in the crash.
Authorities have revealed that a semi-truck driver ignored a stop sign, colliding with their vehicle. The three victims were declared dead on arrival. An additional five individuals were taken to hospitals, with some sustaining critical injuries. According to a family post on social media, these individuals are named Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah, and Gia.
The family asked for prayers and confirmed the deaths Saturday morning, saying “Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan … have gone home to be with the Lord.”
“Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control,” the post read.
The truck driver and his passenger received minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The driver was later arrested, and a report has been forwarded to the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s Office for potential charges.
The Putman family gained recognition through their appearance on TLC’s program “Meet the Putmans.” The show, which aired six episodes in 2017, showcased the lives of Bill, Barb, their four children, and their extended family, all residing in a single large household.
The show was revived as a YouTube series called “Growing Up Putman” in 2021.
