Jeremy Renner Critically Injured in Snowplow Accident: Everything to Know

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Jeremy Renner Critically Injured in Snowplow Accident: Everything to Know

A scary start to the year. Jeremy Renner was hospitalized on New Year's Day after sustaining injuries while plowing snow in Nevada. The Mayor of Kingstown star, 51, was airlifted to the intensive care unit on Sunday, January 1, after "blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries" while driving a snowplow. According to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a “traumatic injury” involving the Marvel actor in the area of Mount Rose Highway in Reno. The Sheriff's Office noted that the California native was the only person involved in the incident. The Hurt Locker star has lived in the Reno area for nearly a decade, telling the Reno Gazette Journal in December 2019 that he now considers himself a Renoite though he was born and raised in California. "In a big city, it's hard to find community and even know your neighbors in a big city, but with Reno, I find I know quite a few people here," the Oscar nominee explained at the time. "It's just big enough, and it's just small enough for me, and I love it." Renner has shared several updates about heavy snowfall over the past couple of months, posting photos via social media. "Lake Tahoe snowfall is no joke," the Hawkeye alum tweeted in December 2022 alongside a photo of a vehicle completely buried in snow. "#WinterWonderland." Days before the accident, Renner posted an Instagram Story where he revealed that he was making a hill for his family to sled on over the holidays. "Nearly done with sledding hill for the kids," he wrote, adding red heart emojis. The Wind River actor shares daughter Ava Berlin, 9, with ex-wife Sonni Pacheco. The duo called it quits in 2014. Over the weekend, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the areas surrounding Reno as well one for the Lake Tahoe Basin. According to the city's Weather Service, the Tahoe Basin received between 20 and 24 inches of snow on Saturday, December 31, and Sunday. One day after the accident, a rep for Renner said that the actor underwent surgery on Monday, January 3, adding that he was returned to the ICU "in critical but stable condition" following the procedures. Mark Ruffalo, who starred alongside Renner in several Marvel movies, asked fans to pray for the American Hustle star. "Prayers up for our brother @jeremyrenner on a full and speedy recovery," the Dark Waters actor, 55, wrote via Instagram on Monday alongside a news story about the incident. Keep scrolling for everything to know about Renner's accident and recovery:

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What Happened to Jeremy Renner?

The Tag star was plowing snow near his home in Nevada on January 1 when he suffered injuries in a "weather-related accident." He was airlifted to a local hospital after law enforcement responded to calls about a "traumatic injury."

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What Are His Injuries?

According to Renner's rep, the actor “suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries” during the incident.  

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What Treatment Has Jeremy Renner Undergone?

One day after the accident, the star's representative confirmed that Renner underwent surgery to treat his injuries. "He has returned from surgery and remains in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition," the spokesperson said on January 2.

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How Has His Family Responded?

"Jeremy's family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible doctors and nurses looking after him, Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff, Reno City Mayor Hillary Schieve and the Carano and Murdock families," Renner's rep said in a statement on January 2. "They are also tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans."

Credit: Courtesy of Jeremy Renner/Instagram

What Did He Say About the Accident?

Renner broke his silence about the scary incident on Tuesday, January 3. "Thank you all for your kind words. 🙏. Im too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all," the actor wrote via Instagram, alongside a selfie of his bruised face and a tube in his nose.

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What Has the Washoe County Sheriff Said About the ‘Tragic Accident’?

Local sheriff Darin Balaam opened up about the circumstances of Renner’s incident in a Tuesday, January 3, press conference.

“Mr. Renner went to retrieve his PistenBully, or snowcat — an extremely large piece of snow-removal equipment weighing at least 14,330 pounds — in an effort to get his vehicle moving,” Balaam said at the time, noting the Hawkeye alum was helping a family member get a “stuck” car out of a snowbank. “After successfully towing his personal vehicle from its stuck location, Mr. Renner got out of his PistenBully to speak to his family member.”

He continued: “At this point, it is observed that the PistenBully started to roll. In an effort to stop the rolling PistenBully, Mr. Renner attempts to get back into the driver's seat of the PistenBully. Based on our investigation, it's at this point that Mr. Renner is run over by the PistenBully. … The investigation is ongoing, however, we do not suspect any foul play. I'll repeat that: We do not suspect any foul play. We believe this was a tragic accident.”

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Has Jeremy Renner Left the Hospital?

Shortly after telling his Instagram followers that he missed his "happy place," Renner shared an update on his recovery via Twitter on January 16. "Outside my brain fog in recovery, I was very excited to watch episode 201 with my family at home ,," he wrote in response to a tweet about his show Mayor of Kingstown.

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Has He Shared Any Updates About Recovering at Home?

"Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years ... Spawned from tragedy for my entire family, and quickly focused into uniting actionable love ❤️," Renner wrote via Instagram on January 21. "I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness for my family and I ... Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30 plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens. Love and blessings to you all 🙏❤️🙏."

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Who Was Jeremy Renner Helping When He Was Injured?

According to a redacted Washoe County Sheriff’s Office report obtained by CNN, the actor was attempting to stop his snow-removal tractor from sliding sideways and hitting his nephew. He'd used the machinery to plow his nephew's truck out of the driveway. Renner told officers that after freeing the car, the snowplow began “sliding sideways,” then “it began to roll down the hill.

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Joking Around

While still in recovery, Renner promoted his new series Rennervations with a quip about his healing process. "Behind the scenes on #rennervations coming soon on @disneyplus around the world," he wrote via Instagram in February 2023. "More info to come. Thank you for your patience … while I am in the shop now, working on me 😄🙏💪🏻." 

Credit: Courtesy of Jeremy Renner/Instagram

Was He Still Hospitalized on His Birthday?

Renner shared a photo with his medical team hours before his 52nd birthday. "Thank you renowned medical ICU team for beginning this journey," he captioned the group snap with several praying emojis.

Credit: Courtesy of Jeremy Renner

What Therapies Are Being Used In His Recovery?

"Electric Stimulation Workout and muscle strength," Renner captioned a video of electrodes on his legs in February 2023.