CARO, MI — A Florida semi-truck driver will spend nearly a year in a Michigan jail for blowing a stop sign and killing three members of the Putman family, the large Caseville-area clan once featured on TLC’s Meet the Putmans.
Pavel B. Shchukin, 55, appeared in Tuscola County District Court on Tuesday, December 9, and pleaded no contest to three counts of moving violation causing death, a misdemeanor carrying a maximum one-year sentence. Judge Jason E. Bitzer immediately handed down 365 days in jail, giving Shchukin credit for 74 days served, and ordered $1,425 in fines and costs. No restitution was ordered.
Shchukin, a lawful permanent U.S. resident originally from Russia, required an interpreter during the nearly two-hour hearing.
Crash Details
On the night of Sept. 26, investigators say Shchukin was driving a commercial semi south on Hurds Corner Road when he failed to stop at the Deckerville Road intersection in Ellington Township. The truck slammed into an eastbound Jeep carrying eight members of the Putman family.
Killed in the collision were:
- William “Bill” Putman II, family patriarch
- Barbara “Neenee” Putman, his wife
- Megan Putman, daughter-in-law
Five others were injured, including Blake Putman, Megan’s husband, along with children Noah W., Lillian H., Alena V., and niece Gia J. Putman. Gia underwent her 10th surgery on Dec. 8, according to the family.
Courtroom Impact Statements
Members of the Putman family addressed the court, including:
- Blake Putman, who lost his wife and both parents, and is still recovering from serious injuries
- Billy Putman, who witnessed the crash
Blake told the court, “If one person comes to know the Lord because of this, it’s worth it.” After speaking, he handed Shchukin a Russian-language Bible.
Tuscola County Prosecutor Erica Walle publicly commended the family for their “forgiveness, grace, and mercy”, and also praised the efforts of first responders from multiple agencies whose work she described as coordinated and relentless.
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