Two years have passed since Jeremy Renner miraculously survived a freak snowplow accident that had nearly claimed his life, and he is now unveiling astonishing new insights, including the harrowing moment he claims he actually "expired." In his newly released book titled "My Final Breath," Renner bares his soul about the harrowing experience he endured on New Year's Day 2023, after being struck by his 14,000-pound PistenBully Snowcat at his Lake Tahoe residence.
"As I lay sprawled on the icy ground, my heart rate began to slow, and on that fateful New Year's Day, unaware to my loved ones—my daughter, sisters, friends, parents—I simply succumbed to exhaustion," he penned, according to Us Weekly. "After approximately thirty minutes of manual breathing, an effort akin to performing rigorous push-ups at a rate of ten to twenty per minute for half an hour… that was the moment I expired."
"I expired, right there on the driveway leading to my home," he continued. "I am certain of it." Renner shared that emergency medical technicians later verified that his heart rate had plummeted to an astonishingly low 18 beats per minute. "This was the epitome of death," he wrote, describing an overwhelming sense of "exhilarating tranquility" during the ordeal.
"Upon expiration, what I perceived was an energy, a constantly interconnected, breathtakingly beautiful, and magnificent energy," he added. "There was no concept of time, place, or space, and nothing to behold except a sort of electric, bidirectional vision woven from threads of that inconceivable energy. I could glimpse my entire lifespan. I could see everything simultaneously."
The star of "Avengers" did not shy away from describing the brutal aftermath of the accident. In "My Final Breath," Renner vividly recounted how he was "utterly crushed," enumerating injuries such as shattered ribs, broken legs, a collapsed lung, and crushed eye sockets.
"Six formidable wheels, seventy-six steel blades, 14,000 pounds of machinery, all pitted against a solitary human body," he penned, according to Page Six. "I heard every bone snap… Skull, jaw, cheekbones, molars: fibula, tibia, lungs, eye sockets, cranium, pelvis, ulna, legs, arms, skin—crack, snap, crack, compress." Chillingly, he recounted, "I could view my left eye with my right eye."
Bodycam footage later captured the chaos as first responders raced against freezing temperatures to save him, exacerbating his severe injuries. After being airlifted to a nearby hospital, Renner underwent multiple surgeries for blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries. He spent a significant portion of 2023 fiercely battling his way back to health.
Renner reflected on his harrowing journey earlier this year during an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," calling it "a profound reminder of what we all ought to cherish in life."
"If we become overly stressed or if challenges become overwhelming or if faced with insurmountable odds, we should simply take one step forward and then another, and keep moving towards it, right?" he shared.
On January 1, 2025, exactly two years to the day after his accident, Renner posted on Instagram to commemorate his emotional second "ReBirthday."
"Happy New Year blessings to all of you… Ringing in my second 'ReBirthday' today," he wrote. "I extend my love, respect, and heartfelt gratitude to the myriad of individuals who worked tirelessly to piece me back together."
He expressed his unreserved thanks to "each and every nurse, doctor, first responder," adding, "I literally owe you my life." He also offered a heartfelt shoutout to his nephew, Alex Fries, and the heroic neighbors who rushed to his side that morning. "I am deeply sorry for the haunting images I imprinted on your minds (I'll spare you the graphic details of the crushing ordeal)," he said.
Renner's gratitude was boundless.
"With the immense love and prayers that poured in from around the globe (each and every one was needed), my family standing by me without fail, some divine intervention, a bit of luck, and an abundance of miracles… I stand tall and strong once more. More open. More loved. More connected."
He concluded his message on a powerful note: "And incredibly BLESSED to take my next step, to breathe MY NEXT BREATH. Thank you with every fiber and cell of my being. I love you ALL [red heart emoji] #MyNextBreath."
"My Next Breath" is now available.
