Key Points: Jeremy Renner Snow Plow Accident
- Jeremy Renner was declared clinically dead on scene after snowplow incident
- The actor broke over 30 bones, including ribs, spine, and collarbone
- He acted heroically trying to save his nephew from being hit
- His left eye was dislodged from its socket during the crush
- Renner lost six quarts of blood and was near hypothermia
- Underwent multiple surgeries in Reno and Los Angeles hospitals
- Renner has no regrets, saying he’d save his nephew again
Jeremy Renner Faced Death on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day 2023, Jeremy Renner’s life changed forever. The Marvel star nearly died after being crushed by a 14,000-pound snowplow while trying to protect his nephew.
In his memoir “My Next Breath,” Renner writes, “I know I died. The EMTs said my heart had bottomed out at 18 beats per minute. That’s basically dead.”
The actor recounts seeing his entire life flash before his eyes during the terrifying moments on his snowy driveway in Reno, Nevada.
Heroic Move Turns Tragic
Renner tried to stop the plow from hitting his 27-year-old nephew. But in doing so, he was run over by the massive machine. He suffered a horrific list of injuries: over 30 broken bones, 14 fractured ribs, a spinal break, and a punctured lung.
He also sustained a crushed eye socket, a sliced liver, and a torn shoulder. The most gruesome part? His left eye popped out of his skull. “I could see my left eye with my right,” he writes.
As he lay in the snow, his broken rib cage and shoulder pressed down on his lungs. Hypothermia was setting in quickly.
Emergency Rescue and Surgery Marathon
With temperatures near freezing, Renner was airlifted to a hospital in Reno. He underwent several life-saving surgeries. Despite being in shock and immense pain, he typed a heartbreaking note to his family: “If I have to live on machines, I choose NOT to continue.”
Six days later, doctors moved him to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for further procedures. On January 13, he was discharged — but the journey to recovery was just beginning.
Road to Recovery Begins at Home
At home, Renner filled his space with rehab tools. He used anti-gravity treadmills, compression sleeves, bands, and rollers. “Everything was pinned. My body titanium-filled, bones still shattered,” he said.
He insisted on getting back to normal life as quickly as possible. “That urge for normalcy pushed me through every hardship,” Renner wrote.
He celebrated his return home with a glass of red wine, then dove into rehabilitation with relentless dedication.
Back on His Feet by Spring
By April, just three months after the accident, Renner visited Six Flags and even rode a roller coaster. He amazed doctors and fans alike with his determination and physical progress.
His memoir details not just physical pain but emotional recovery too. The actor’s fight wasn’t just for his body — it was for his spirit.
Family First: No Regrets for Saving His Nephew
Despite the agony, Renner says he would make the same choice again to protect his nephew. “I had to do something,” he writes. “In those lightning-fast seconds, his life mattered more than mine.”
The book paints Renner as a real-life hero — not just on screen but in his own driveway.
A Survivor’s Tale for the Ages
Renner’s accident shocked the world. His recovery inspired millions. His memoir, “My Next Breath,” tells the story of a man who literally came back from the dead — and did so with grit, humor, and heart.
Now, Renner stands tall once again. Scarred, titanium-filled, and grateful.