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

Genesis

While arguing with his mother that he and Nathan do share a special bond, Peter tells her that he sensed Nathan's accident as it happened.

Nothing to Hide

Nathan's wife, Heidi, tries to convince Nathan to have Oliver Dennison over for brunch. She wants to have Dennison write a cover story in the New York Journal as good PR for Nathan's campaign. When Nathan expresses disinterest, Heidi tells Nathan that she knows he is trying to protect her, but she doesn't need the protection. She reminds Nathan that he is behind in the polls, and that she has remained out of public view in order to keep Nathan from looking weak. She assures her husband that she can help him. When Nathan finally agrees, she pulls away, confined to a wheelchair.

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 awkardly flies for the first time.
• 
  Nathan views the accident from above. Peter has a similar vision at the same time.
• 
  Nathan receives news of his wife's condition from a surgeon.
• 
  As a result of the accident, Heidi is confined to a wheelchair.

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.