Nathan and Heidi's accident

Heidi is injured in a car accident

Approximately six months ago, Nathan Petrelli and his wife Heidi were in a car accident that left Heidi paralyzed and wheelchair-bound.

About

Six Months Ago

Nathan and Heidi are returning from a party for Nathan's brother Peter Petrelli, and a passenger truck rams their car into water barriers on the side of the road. Nathan instinctively launches himself out of the car — the first instance of his power of flight — and he watches from above as his wife crashes alone in the car. He falls, injuring his forehead.

Peter wakes from a dream, somehow sensing exactly when Nathan had his accident; he later relays this to his mother.

At the hospital, Peter meets Nathan, and they discuss the accident. Somehow, Peter knows that there was another vehicle, and together deduce that an employee of Mr. Linderman is responsible for running them off the road. A doctor comes for Nathan, and he learns that the accident has left Heidi in a wheelchair.

Gallery

• 
  Nathan's view of the accident from above
• 
  Nathan Flying

Notes

• Heidi claims she was upset at God for the accident originally, but has since made peace.
• Heidi is led to believe that Nathan had an affair in Las Vegas after an interview with Oliver Dennison. She blames her wheelchair for his probable infidelity.
• It is unclear if Nathan remembers flying or not to escape the crash; even if he does remember, he hides the fact that he has his power for another six months. (Genesis) It's also unclear whether Heidi remembers Nathan disappearing from the car.
• In Genesis, Peter comments that he knew about the accident "300 miles away". Peter's party was at his apartment in Manhattan, and Nathan and Heidi live on Long Island. If the accident did occur 300 miles away, then it's unclear where Nathan and Heidi were headed.