American Pickers” star Mike Wolfe has faced a series of tough blows in recent years.
After saying goodbye to his longtime friend Frank Fritz and closing his famous Nashville antique shop, Wolfe is now recovering from a serious car accident.
“By the grace of God..”
It’s often said that misfortune never comes alone — and Mike Wolfe knows that better than most. The past years have been tough for the Master picker, several tragic events have deeply affected him.
And now he’s been hit by yet another misfortune.
The “American Pickers” star and his girlfriend, Leticia Cline, are now recovering after a terrifying car accident in Columbia, Tennessee on Friday.
Wolfe, 61, shared the news with fans on Instagram stories, posting a photo of his heavily damaged blue vintage car.
He wrote, “By the grace of God, we’re both safe and okay. We are both receiving excellent care and while Leticia is still in the hospital, she is expected to make a full recovery.”
Broken jaw and collapsed lung
Cline revealed on her own social media that she had hit her jaw on the shattered car window during the crash. She later shared the extent of her injuries:
“Broken jaw (in a few places), broken ribs, sternum, collapsed lung and a lot of swelling on my spine. My mouth will be wired shut but I still got my brain and that’s all that matters.”
Despite the trauma, Wolfe tried to reassure fans, posting later that evening:
“It’s been a rough nite but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
In another photo, Wolfe could be seen reclining beside Cline in a hospital bed, where she wore a neck brace.
Cline also shared an update: “Hopefully I get surgery tomorrow.”
Wolfe thanked fans for their support, writing, “Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time and we appreciate all of your love & prayers. God bless.”
A life in transition
Earlier this year, Wolfe made the difficult decision to close his Nashville store, Antique Archaeology, after 15 years. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he reflected on what the shop meant to him:
”This place has meant the world to me – not just the brick and mortar, but the people. The community. The visitors from all over the world who came through those doors, shared their stories, and reminded me every day why I started this journey in the first place.”
Wolfe explained that the closure was about finding a slower pace of life in his home state of Iowa: “This isn’t goodbye – it’s just a new rhythm. I’ll forever be grateful for every moment in that Nashville space, and for all of you who made it more than just a shop. You made it home.”
He also reflected on the impact of losing his longtime co-star and friend, Frank Fritz, who passed away in September 2024 from complications following a stroke.
“Every day we think about Frank on set. He was such a big part of the show. He was my friend since 8th grade. And a lot of times when we are traveling through a property there are so many things that capture our attention that connect us to him,” Wolfe shared with the New York Post.
Mike was by his friend’s hospital bedside as Frank took his final breaths.
“I was there for about an hour before he passed, and I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath. I took my fingers and I closed his eyes.”
Car accidents are unpredictable, and it doesn’t take much for things to turn seriously wrong.
We’re sending all our best wishes to Mike Wolfe and Leticia for a swift and full recovery, hoping they face no serious complications from this frightening accident!
