Kevin Kong / Staff reporter

Famous movie star Jeremy Renner is in critical condition after being run over by a snowplow on January 1, 2023, around his Lake Tahoe home. Renner, commonly known for his Hawkeye role, was digging a car out of the snow when his snowplow started rolling by itself. Renner is diagnosed blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries after being flown to the hospital by a helicopter.

Renner was born in Modesto, California, and attended Modesto Junior College. Some of his first films include S.W.A.T., North Country, and 28 Weeks Later. However, what really put Renner into the spotlight was The Avengers from 2012, for which Renner took on the role of Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, who has sharp-shooting and close combat abilities. Hawkeye furthermore appears in multiple sequels as well as having his own Disney+ TV show, Hawkeye. Additionally, Renner’s performance in films The Hurt Locker and The Town allowed him to become a two-time acting Oscar nominee.

Renner at the the Hawkeye New York Special Fan Screening
The Avengers official trailer

Before the incident, Renner discovered that his personal vehicle was stuck under the snow and used his PistenBully snowplow, which weighs at least 14,000 pounds, to tow the car. Afterwards, Renner got out of the snowplow to speak to a family member. However, the PistenBully starts rolling, and Renner attempts to stop it by getting back in the driver’s seat, which is when he ran over by the snowplow. The severe weather had delayed responders from reaching Renner after 911 was called, and Renner was later airlifted to the hospital. Suffering from blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries, Renner is in a critical but stable condition. Moreover, police believe the incident was a tragic accident, and are analyzing the snowplow for mechanical failure.

CharacterCast
Tony Stark/Iron ManRobert Downey Jr.
Steve Rogers/Captain AmericaChris Evans
Thor OdinsonChris Hemsworth
Bruce Banner/HulkMark Ruffalo
Clint Barton/HawkeyeJeremy Renner
Natasha Romanoff/Black WidowScarlett Johansson
Original six Avengers from The Avengers

Both celebrities and fans are supporting Renner after his surgery on social media. For example, Chris Hemsworth, who starred Thor Odinson in The Avengers, wrote on Instagram, “Speedy recovery buddy. Sending love your way.” Chris Evans, who played Captain American in The Avengers, also wrote, “Tough as nails. Love you buddy.” Renner responded to these comments on January 3 on Instagram, posting a selfie of himself and typing, “Thank you all for your kind words. I’m too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all.” His family also offered their gratitude to the medical staff, the rescue department, and the police department as well as the love and support from Renner’s fans.

“Thank you all for your kind words. I’m too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all.”

-Jeremy Renner on Instagram

Renner’s current situation leaves uncertainty for his acting career, as he may not have the same mobility as he had before. All in all, I hope that he will recover fast and return to his prior acting roles, as well as prioritizing his health and safety in the future.

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