Jeremy Renner got emotional speaking about the snowplow accident that nearly cost him his life during his first on-screen interview since the January incident.
“I chose to survive,” said Renner, 52. “You’re not going to kill me. No way.”
An hour-long special with Diane Sawyer, announced Wednesday, will feature the “Hawkeye” star opening up about the details of the accident and his remarkable survival.
An emotional two-minute trailer for the interview, which is called “Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview – A Story of Terror, Survival and Triumph,” was also released Wednesday ahead of the sit-down interview, which airs on April 6.
Several members of Renner’s family, including his nephew Alexander Fries, whom he saved from the plow, will also speak about the terrifying accident.
“I just perfectly see him in a pool of blood from his head,” recalled Renner’s nephew. “I ran up to him. I didn’t think he was alive.”
Despite suffering critical injuries and “30 plus broken bones” that kept him in the hospital for weeks, the “Avengers” star stands by his split-second decision.
“I’d do it again,” stated Renner. “Because it was going right at my nephew.”
“I chose to survive,” said Renner, 52. “You’re not going to kill me. No way.” ABC
The hour-long special will feature the “Hawkeye” star opening up about the details of the accident and his remarkable survival. ABC
The accident occurred on New Year’s Day after the actor finished clearing snow outside his Nevada residence when the Kässbohrer PistenBully snowplow began to slide forward after Renner failed to properly apply the emergency break. Instagram / @jeremyrennerThe accident occurred on New Year’s Day after the actor finished clearing snow outside his Nevada residence when the Kässbohrer-brand PistenBully snowplow began to slide forward after Renner failed to properly apply the emergency break.
Renner then attempted to divert the PistenBully, according to a statement by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, but it ran over his leg, which resulted in “extensive injuries.”
The “Hurt Locker” star was then airlifted to a nearby hospital after losing a “serious” amount of blood and was listed in “critical but stable” condition.
Several members of Renner’s family, including his nephew Alexander Fries whom he saved from the plow, will also speak about the terrifying accident. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
The “Hurt Locker” star was airlifted to a nearby hospital after losing a “serious” amount of blood and was listed in “critical but stable” condition. ABC
Renner has shared several updates on his road to recovery including a recent post showing the “Mayor of Kingstown” star on an anti-gravity treadmill. ABC
Renner posted several photos from his hospital bed while recovering. Instagram / @jeremyrennerRenner has shared several updates on his road to recovery including a recent post showing the “Mayor of Kingstown” star on an anti-gravity treadmill.
“I now have to find OTHER things to occupy my time so my body can recover from my will,” reads the Twitter post.
“Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interview – A Story of Terror, Survival and Triumph,” is set to air April 6 at 10 p.m. EST and will be available to stream the following day.
