Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner says he was at fault in the New Year’s Day snowmobile accident that nearly killed him and apologized to his family for putting him through the ordeal.
Reiner said in an interview that aired Thursday that he was plowing to get one of his family’s trucks out of the snow and onto the pavement.
As the plow began to slide on the ice, Renner said he became concerned for the safety of his nephew, Alex, who had just untied the chains connecting the truck and plow. Rainer put one foot out of the plow to look back at Alex and didn’t engage the parking brake.
The actor then lost his footing and fell out of Hill’s cab.
“You’re not supposed to be out of the car when you’re driving, you know what I mean? It’s a foot out of the car,” Reiner, who is in a wheelchair, told JEE News reporter. It’s like running.”
“But it is what it was,” he added. “And it’s my fault, and I paid for it.”
Reiner, then worried that the snow plow would backfire and crush his nephew, said he tried to jump back into the car to stop it. He stepped on the wheel tracks of the plough, which threw him forward, and the vehicle ran over him, breaking more than 30 bones, a collapsed lung and a hole in his liver.
Neighbors who attended to the 52-year-old actor, best known for playing Marvel superhero Hawkeye in the Avengers films, said they saw blood all over him, shallow breathing and a crack on his skull. .
When he woke up in the hospital, Reiner said, he signaled to his family in sign language that meant “I’m sorry.”
“It’s my responsibility,” Reiner said. “I feel bad that my actions caused so much pain.”
Doctors used titanium rods and screws to repair broken ribs and also placed metal in his legs and face to reconstruct his eye sockets.
The actor was shown walking with the help of a walker. He still undergoes hours of daily therapy for his injuries.
Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in the 2008 film The Hurt Locker and for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the 2010 film The Town.
He is scheduled to make his personal return to Hollywood on Tuesday at a red carpet event for his TV series Rennervations, in which he helps refurbish vintage vehicles like buses and deliver them to communities in need.
Reiner credits his family’s support for helping him survive the snowplow accident.
“I’ve been fueled and fueled with love and titanium,” she said with a laugh.
