Jeremy Renner Accident Occurred While Helping Stranded Family Member

Jeremy Renner was helping a family member whose car was stranded in the snow when he was involved in a snow plowing accident Sunday, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

“Based on our investigation, Mr. Renner’s personal vehicle, which was being driven by a family member, had become stuck in the snow near his home,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said during a press conference. “Mr. Renner went to retrieve his PistenBully or Sno-Cat — an extremely large piece of snow removal equipment weighing at least 14,330 pounds — in an effort to get his vehicle moving. After successfully towing his personal vehicle from its stuck location, Mr. Renner got out of his PistenBully to speak to his family member. At this point, it was 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. An eyewitness detailed seeing Mr. Renner getting into the PistenBully and not seeing him again until the PistenBully came to a rest in a pile of snow in front of his driveway.”

Sheriff Balaam said that he does not believe Renner was impaired at the time of the accident: “We do not suspect any foul play. We believe this was a tragic accident.”

According to the Sheriff, there was about “three feet of fresh snow” on the ground at the time of the accident and many abandoned cars blocking the roadways, making it more difficult to get to the scene. Once they arrived, Renner was administered first aid by first responders as well as neighbors who assisted with towels. The investigation is still ongoing.

Renner also posted a selfie on Instagram Tuesday, writing: “Thank you all for your kind words. I’m too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all.”