Jeremy Renner was trying to save his adult nephew from being hit by the snowplow that injured him on New Year’s Day, according to a report from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada.
Renner had been helping his nephew pull his truck out of the snow when the incident occurred, according to the incident report obtained by CNN via a public records request. The Hawkeye actor was trying to prevent the snowcat vehicle from sliding off its track and hitting his nephew when Renner was run over by the heavy machinery, causing him to sustain blunt chest trauma and other orthopedic injuries.
The accident was caused by a problem with the snowcat’s emergency brake, the report says.
“The Pistenbully snow groomer began sliding causing Renner to exit the vehicle without setting the emergency brake,” the report reads, according to CNN.
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“Although the Pistenbully had some mechanical issues, it is believed based on our mechanical inspection that the parking brake would keep the Pistenbully from moving forward. When Renner attempted to stop or divert the Pistenbully to avoid injury to (his nephew), he was pulled under the vehicle by the track and run over.”
The report also adds that the brake indicator light was not working properly at the time of the accident, and that “mechanical issues may have been a factor in this accident.”
Renner’s nephew and others at the scene stayed with him as they waited for the actor to be airlifted to the hospital, the report adds. Renner stayed in the hospital for more than two weeks, where he underwent surgery. He is now at home recovering from his injuries with his family, according to Variety.
Main Image: Jeremy Renner at the Los Angeles premiere of Arrival held at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood, USA on November 6, 2016. Via Shutterstock.