CNN —
Actor Jeremy Renner was trying to prevent his sliding snow cat from hitting his nephew when he was pulled under the snow plow and crushed on New Year’s Day, according to an incident report from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle began sliding sideways after the Avengers star used it to pull his nephew’s truck out of the snow, and the failure to apply the parking brake would have stopped it, according to the redacted incident report filed Friday. The document was obtained Tuesday from CNN through a public records request.
“The snow groomer skidded, causing Renner to exit the vehicle without applying the emergency brake,” the report concludes.
“Although the snow groomer had some mechanical problems, based on our mechanical inspection it is believed that the parking brake would prevent the snow groomer from moving forward. When Renner tried to stop or distract the snow groomer to avoid injury [his nephew]he was pulled from the track under the vehicle and run over.”
The report also notes that the brake indicator light in the vehicle’s cabin was not working and that “mechanical problems may have been a factor in this accident”.
Renner was flown to the hospital, where he stayed for more than two weeks, underwent at least two surgeries and was treated in intensive care.
A 911 call log obtained by CNN states that Renner was “completely crushed under a large snowcat [vehicle]’ and he had ‘extremely [difficulty] Breathing.” It goes on to say, “The right side of his chest collapsed — the upper body was crushed.”
The incident began on New Year’s Day when Renner was towing his nephew’s truck off the actor’s driveway after it got stuck in the snow, he told investigators while he was hospitalized Jan. 5, according to the incident report.
After successfully towing the truck out of the snow and onto the road, Renner said the snowplow “began to slide sideways,” then “it began to roll down the hill.” At that point, Renner told investigators he jumped out of the snowplow.
“When he got off the snow groomer, he realized that it was heading straight for him [his nephew,]”, says the report. “He was afraid that the snow groomer would hit him [his nephew]so he decided to try to stop or distract the snow groomer.”
In order to get into the cab of the snowplow, Renner had to climb onto the movable track, the report said. As he jumped onto the track, Renner was “immediately dragged under the left siding,” according to the report.
“The snow groomer rolled over him and drove down the street,” the report said. “He lay down on the floor, concentrating on his breathing [his nephew and others] provided him with assistance until medical personnel arrived on site.”
Renner, who plays superhero archer Hawkeye in the Marvel film and television Universe, said he fractured more than 30 bones in the incident.
He posted a photo to Instagram last week with a caption that read, “Morning practice resolutions have all changed this special new year…. Born out of tragedy for my entire family and quickly focused on uniting actionable love ❤️ I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness for my family and I…. Lots of love and appreciation to you all. Those 30+ broken bones heal and grow stronger as love and bonds with family and friends deepen. Love and blessings to you all.”
Disability was not believed to be a factor in the incident, the report also concludes.
CNN has reached out to Renner’s rep for comment.