Hollywood is packed with brawny heroes, ready to take on and triumph over the powers of evil. The twist? Real life can punch just as hard as any fictional villain, and even the toughest heroes aren’t invincible. Just ask Jeremy Renner. Well-known for his intense, award-worthy performances in 2008’s The Hurt Locker and 2010’s The Town, Renner is also a household name as Hawkeye in the Marvel movies, including 2012’s The Avengers, 2015’s Age of Ultron, and 2019’s Endgame. But even someone used to big-screen action can’t escape real-world danger. In January 2023, Renner had a scary near-fatal accident while operating a snowplow on his property, a harsh reminder that reality sometimes packs a stronger punch than any movie villain.
The Snowplow Crash
On January 1, 2023, Hollywood star Jeremy Renner was critically injured in a near‑fatal accident involving a snowplow at his Nevada home near Lake Tahoe. The accident occurred while Renner was using a large tracked snow‑grooming machine, commonly known as a PistenBully snowcat, to clear snow after a heavy storm. The huge 14,000‑pound snowplow started sliding, so Renner got out to check on his nephew and make sure the machine didn’t run him over.
In a split‑second attempt to stop the machine, Renner tried to re‑enter the cab, but lost his footing and fell in front of the moving tracks. The snowplow then ran over his body, crushing him under its weight.
He sustained severe trauma, including scores of broken bones — shockingly, doctors later confirmed he broke more than 30 — as well as a collapsed lung and a pierced liver. Emergency responders were called to the scene and airlifted Renner to a nearby hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries to repair his injuries. Initial reports described his condition as critical but stable following the accident.
According to Renner, the accident was caused by a “tiny but monumental slip of the mind.” He forgot the parking brake and didn’t disengage the tracks, which turned the situation dangerous in seconds. Neighbors and first responders played a key role in his rescue, and Renner credited their actions — as well as the care of his medical team — with saving his life.
Recovery Following Life-Threatening Accident
In the long recovery that followed, the 28 Months Later actor described the experience in vivid detail, recalling the pain and terror of being run over and the difficulty of rehabilitating from such extensive injuries.
Despite the severity of the crash, Renner has since made significant progress. He has spoken publicly about his recovery, describing both the physical and emotional challenges he faced, and has returned to work in television and film.
In 2025, Renner opened up about his near‑fatal snowplow accident in interviews and his memoir My Next Breath, describing the surreal peace he felt near death and his intense reaction to being brought back to life.
It’s a wonderful, wonderful relief to be removed from your body. It is the most exhilarating peace you could ever feel… I didn’t want to come back. I remember, and I was brought back and I was so pissed off.
Via SiriusXM’s Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa podcast
Renner’s Future Is Looking Brighter Than Ever
Jeremy Renner isn’t slowing down, though. Fresh from Wake Up Dead Man, he’s back in Mayor of Kingstown, eyeing a Hawkeye return, and tackling passion projects like RENNERVATIONS and a hard-hitting opioid drama, proving his next chapter is bigger, bolder, and unmissable. Ultimately, a major accident hasn’t slowed him down — and in some ways — has only made the 54-year-old stronger, proving his unmatched professionalism and unstoppable work ethic is second to none.
