Washoe County Sheriff holds press conference about Jeremy Renner's "tragic accident"

RENO, Nev. - Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to clarify details regarding actor Jeremy Renner's New year's Day accident and his department's response.

Renner, who is a resident of Washoe County, lives about two miles from the summit of Mt. Rose.

On Sunday at 8:55 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) to tell them of a snowcat versus pedestrian accident. First responders immediately set out for Renner's home but it took them 33 minutes to arrive since the Mt. Rose Highway was closed due to heavy snow and 13-20 cars were abandoned along the stretch from Reno to the summit, causing more delays. When WCSO arrived, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District had already arrived from the Incline Village side of the mountain, along with an ambulance.

Balaam said a family member of Renner's had been driving a vehicle on his private road when it became stuck in the snow. Renner went to retrieve his PistenBully, a snow groomer popular at ski resorts. He got the vehicle unstuck and stopped the PistenBully to jump out, apparently thinking it was in park.

As Renner jumped off the 14,000-pound PistenBully it started to roll so he tried to jump back in to stop it, according to Balaam. It was then that he fell under the machine which came to a stop at a pile of snow on Renner's driveway.

The WCSO major accident investigation team is still conducting interviews and investigating the snow cat that they have removed from the scene to see if there is any mechanical defect that may have caused the accident.

Neighbors brought towels and rendered first aid prior to the arrival of first responders. It had previously been mentioned that a doctor was present but Balaam said that was not accurate.

Due to the condition of the road and the nature of the injuries, Renner was transported to a Reno hospital by a care flight at 9:56 a.m. It took the helicopter some time to find a safe place to land in the three feet of new snow.

Renner was conscious and speaking to first responders when they arrived, according to Balaam.

The sheriff says they do not suspect foul play and that this was a "tragic accident."

Renner can be found every winter clearing the private road for himself and his neighbors.

"Jeremy’s family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible doctors and nurses looking after him, Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff, Reno City Mayor Hillary Schieve, and the Carano and Murdock families. They are also tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans," said the Renner family in a statement. They said he is still in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition.

Renner is an honorary Washoe County Sheriff deputy and can often be found helping the department with its annual "Shop With The Sheriff." Balaam said the kids are thrilled to be there with "Hawkeye" (Renner's Avengers character). "I guarantee those kids will never forget that," said Balaam.

Renner is almost well-known in the community for his generosity and has made a tremendous impact in Washoe County.