On New Year’s Day 2023, actor Jeremy Renner was seriously injured in a snowplow accident near his home outside Reno, Nevada. What began as an attempt to help a family member stuck in the snow quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency.
Renner was using a large snowcat to pull a pickup truck out of a snowbank when the machine began moving unexpectedly. In an attempt to protect his nephew, Renner was pulled into the snowcat’s tracks and run over.
He suffered severe injuries, including dozens of broken bones, but survived the accident and eventually returned to work.
What Happened to Jeremy Renner on New Year’s Day 2023?
The accident happened shortly after 6 a.m. on January 1, 2023, at a family property near Reno, Nevada.
The area had received heavy snowfall, leaving the property covered in several feet of snow. Renner and his family were staying at the home for the holidays and were working to clear the long driveway.
Renner used a large snowcat, a tracked vehicle designed to move heavy snow, to clear a path.
The machine weighed about 14,000 pounds and was powerful enough to move large amounts of snow. It was also capable of pulling a pickup truck out of a snowbank.
How the Snowplow Accident Began
Renner first drove his pickup truck down the driveway to see whether the cleared path was wide and stable enough to reach the main road.
But the truck began sliding near the bottom of the driveway. It eventually slid into a snowbank and became stuck.
A snowcat was nearby, so Renner decided to use it to pull the truck free.
The two vehicles were connected with a chain. Renner then climbed into the snowcat and pulled the pickup out of the snowbank.
The truck was successfully freed, but the situation suddenly became dangerous.
The Snowcat Started Sliding
After pulling the pickup out, Renner left the snowcat’s cab and went toward his nephew.
The parking brake had not been set.
Because the driveway was covered with snow, the heavy snowcat began to move forward.
Renner realized that his nephew could be trapped between the snowcat and the pickup truck. He tried to get back into the snowcat to stop it.
But he failed to get fully into the cab.
Instead, he fell into the path of the machine’s tracks.
The 14,000-pound snowcat then ran over him.
Jeremy Renner’s Nephew Was Also in Danger
Renner’s nephew was standing between the two vehicles when he noticed the snowcat moving.
He immediately moved out of the space between them.
He then jumped into the pickup truck for protection.
The snowcat struck the truck and pushed it into a snowbank and a nearby tree.
Renner’s nephew survived, but his clothing became trapped in the pickup’s driver’s-side door.
He eventually managed to wriggle out of his clothes and escape through the passenger side.
When he got outside, he began looking for Renner.
At first, he could not find him.
Then he noticed a large pool of blood on the driveway.
Jeremy Renner Suffered Severe Injuries
Renner had been pulled beneath the snowcat during the accident.
The machine caused devastating injuries. He suffered more than 30 broken bones, with reports later describing 38 broken bones.
He was also critically injured and needed immediate medical treatment.
The accident could easily have been fatal.
But emergency responders arrived and Renner was taken to the hospital, where doctors treated his extensive injuries.
How Did Jeremy Renner Survive the Snowplow Accident?
Renner’s survival was remarkable given the force involved.
A vehicle weighing around 14,000 pounds had run over him, causing major injuries to his bones and body.
He required extensive medical care and a long rehabilitation process.
His recovery involved multiple stages of treatment and physical therapy. Renner later shared updates about his progress with fans.
Despite the severity of the accident, he continued working toward recovery.
Jeremy Renner’s Recovery
The accident left Renner with a long road back to normal life.
He had to relearn and rebuild physical abilities through rehabilitation. Recovery from injuries involving dozens of broken bones can take months or even years.
Renner remained determined throughout the process.
His recovery became one of the most closely followed parts of the story because he eventually returned to acting.
About a year after the accident, he was back on set.
His return was a major milestone after an accident that had nearly cost him his life.
What Caused the Snowplow Accident?
The immediate cause was the snowcat beginning to move while Renner was outside the cab.
The parking brake had not been engaged.
The machine was on a snowy surface, and once it began moving, its enormous weight made it extremely difficult to stop.
Renner then tried to prevent the snowcat from hitting his nephew.
That attempt put him directly in the machine’s path.
The accident shows how quickly a heavy piece of machinery can become dangerous, even when it is being used for a simple task such as clearing snow.
A New Year’s Day That Nearly Became Tragic
What started as a family effort to clear a snow-covered driveway turned into a medical emergency.
Renner was trying to help his family when the snowcat moved unexpectedly. His nephew escaped the immediate danger, but Renner was caught by the machine.
The injuries were severe, but he survived.
His recovery and eventual return to acting made the accident an extraordinary story of survival.
Final Thoughts
Jeremy Renner’s snowplow accident on New Year’s Day 2023 was one of the most serious accidents of his life. A 14,000-pound snowcat ran over him after it began moving while he was outside the cab.
Renner suffered dozens of broken bones and life-threatening injuries. His nephew also narrowly avoided being crushed when the snowcat moved toward the pickup truck.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Renner survived and worked through a long rehabilitation. His return to the set about a year later showed how far his recovery had progressed.
The accident also serves as a reminder of the dangers involved with heavy machinery, especially on snow and ice. A momentary mistake, such as failing to engage a parking brake, can have devastating consequences.