Three members of the Putman family, who starred in TLC’s reality series “Meet the Putmans,” were killed in a car crash in Michigan on Friday, September 26, 2025, while five other family members remain hospitalized with injuries.
Bill “Papa” Putman, his wife Barb “Neenee” Putman, and their daughter-in-law Megan Putman died when a commercial semi-truck collided with their vehicle near Cass City, Michigan, at approximately 9 p.m. The crash occurred when a southbound loaded commercial semi-truck failed to stop at a stop sign and struck an eastbound Jeep carrying eight Cass City residents.
The three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office. The other five occupants of the Jeep were transported to hospitals, some in critical condition. Those injured include Blake Putman, identified as Megan’s husband, and children Lulu, Alena, Noah, and niece Gia.
The semi-truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Florida, and his passenger sustained minor injuries and were also taken to a hospital. The driver was arrested and is awaiting formal charges from the county prosecutor’s office.
Isabella Putman, a family member, confirmed the deaths in a statement posted to the family’s Instagram account on Saturday. The family indicated that Bill, Barb, and Megan “have gone home to be with the Lord” and requested prayers for the surviving family members still hospitalized.
On Sunday, the family provided an update on the conditions of the injured survivors. They reported that Noah remained sedated but was responding to family members with movement. Gia underwent a craniotomy, a type of brain surgery where surgeons remove part of the skull to access the brain, according to the family’s statement.
The family shared encouraging news about Gia’s condition, noting that her brain pressure had decreased significantly following the surgery. They expressed gratitude for what they described as encouraging updates from her medical care team.
The Putman family rose to prominence in 2017 when TLC featured them in the reality series “Meet the Putmans,” which showcased three generations totaling 25 people living together in a single household. The show followed Bill and Barb Putman, their four adult children, and their spouses and children as they navigated life in a massive 35,000 square foot house.
According to the family’s current social media presence, their household consisted of 10 adults and 20 children before the recent deaths. In 2021, the Putmans revived their television presence through YouTube with a series called “Growing Up Putman,” which has garnered more than 8,000 followers on the platform.
The YouTube series description reflected the family’s core philosophy, stating that Bill and Barb Putman believed a strong family bond could only occur if everyone stayed together under one roof. The show documented their unique living arrangement and family dynamics.
In their public statements following the crash, the family emphasized their reliance on their Christian faith during this difficult time. They referenced biblical scripture and expressed their belief that the deceased family members were “alive and whole in Heaven, standing before Jesus.”
The family thanked supporters for their prayers, messages, and acts of support during their grief. Isabella Putman noted that “your support means more than words can express” as they navigate their loss.
The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office used the incident to issue a public safety reminder about driving attentiveness. Officials indicated they are experiencing too many crashes that are destroying people’s lives and urged the public to pay more attention while driving.
Cass City, where the family resided, is located approximately 100 miles north of Detroit. The community has rallied around the surviving family members as they continue their recovery in various hospitals throughout the region.
The original TLC series aired for one season in 2017, but the family maintained their public presence through social media and their subsequent YouTube content. The show provided viewers with an inside look at how such a large extended family managed daily life, relationships, and decision-making while sharing living space.
