What Happened to Reno Ward? Life, Ice Road Truckers Journey, Business, and 2025 Updates
When Darrell Ward joined Ice Road Truckers in 2012, viewers quickly connected with his fearless driving, Montana charm, and the way he treated trucking as a family tradition rather than just a job. By the time of his tragic plane crash in 2016, Darrell had become one of the most recognizable faces of the show, remembered not only for his grit but also for his warmth and mentoring spirit. In the days after his passing, tributes poured in from fans and fellow drivers around the world. But while many wondered how the Ward story would continue, his son Reno Ward quietly prepared to carry the torch. Reno’s decision to climb into his father’s truck and appear on the show wasn’t just television drama—it was a heartfelt, very real effort to honor the man who raised him and to prove that the Ward name still belonged on the ice roads.
After Darrell’s death, Season 11 of Ice Road Truckers—the final season, which aired from August to November 2017—ushered in a stirring tribute with Episode 5: “The Son Rises.” Polar Industries faced their toughest challenge yet: hauling a massive oversized load hundreds of frozen miles north into Canada’s Northwest Territories. Mark Kohaykewych and Lisa Kelly brought in 23‑year‑old Reno Ward, hoping that Darrell’s tutelage—and perhaps a bit of his DNA—would help them succeed. Reno took the wheel of his father’s own truck, entering the treacherous ice roads under a brutal blizzard. The episode became one of the most emotionally resonant of the season, as viewers watched him confront breakdown threats, icy grades, and the legacy of a name they cherished.
Reno’s role didn’t end with that single episode. In subsequent installments like “A Bridge Too Far” and “Of Ice and Men,” he continued hauling with the Polar crew. In Episode 7, “Of Ice and Men,” Reno faced unexpected disasters, including a harrowing encounter with a speeding pickup truck that collided with his rig on the icy roads. The crash underscored just how dangerous the conditions were. Veteran driver Lisa Kelly rushed to help, but the strain on her own truck forced her to make the agonizing decision to leave Reno to fend for himself on the slick ice. This tense sequence showed both the peril of the job and the weight Reno carried as Darrell’s son. His presence reminded fans that the Ward trucking tradition was still alive, even as the series reached its final run.
Reno Ward’s Path Forward
In September 2016, just weeks after his father’s passing, Reno Ward honored Darrell by leading the Darrell Ward Tribute Tour in Nova Scotia. He took part in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy for the Special Olympics, helping raise over $114,000 for athletes. Fans and fellow drivers praised him for making his father proud during the emotional tribute. He was also seen at trucking events and memorial gatherings, often speaking with fans about Darrell’s legacy and what it meant to carry his name on the ice roads.
The following year, in 2017, Reno carried that tribute onto television by appearing in Ice Road Truckers Season 11. Driving his father’s truck alongside veteran drivers, his time on the show was both a continuation of the Ward name and a deeply personal challenge.
Long before stepping onto television, Reno had begun building his own path in Montana, laying the foundation for a career that blended his education and hands‑on work experience. After graduating from Powell County High School, he went on to study business at the University of Montana Western.
By 2018, he had launched Ward Industries, an independent contracting business based in Deer Lodge. The company quickly became his main focus, handling everything from forest management projects—like fuel reductions and commercial thinning—to excavation jobs such as snow plowing, water lines, and septic system installations. His team also took on road construction work, including culverts and access roads, while his trucking division hauled raw materials like logs, gravel, hay, and seed potatoes. Over time, Ward Industries grew into a one‑stop operation, even offering heavy hauling, lowboy transport, and a full range of fencing solutions.
As his business gained momentum, Reno also made time for personal growth. On February 21, 2021, he shared a post from the gym, celebrating 22 consecutive workdays, daily workouts, and finishing his seventh book. He explained that he had been looking for a refocus and was finally gaining momentum—an insight into the same discipline and work ethic that powered both his fitness and his career.
Yet Reno’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges, and the steady growth of his business and personal life was soon tested. In late 2024, local news outlet KXLF reported that he came under fire after a video went viral showing one of his horses drowning in a mountain lake. Reno described the June 11 incident as a tragic accident, saying the horse panicked after stepping into deep water. The footage, which circulated widely online, drew sharp criticism, and Reno said he was inundated with hate mail and even death threats. His younger sister Terra Ward had posted the video, which prompted an investigation by the Powell County Sheriff’s Office. No charges were filed, and Reno publicly defended himself, explaining that the laughter heard in the video was recorded hours later and was taken out of context. He worried about the damage to his reputation and business, calling the ordeal a misinterpretation that could hurt his employees and community ties.
Despite that controversy, Reno’s social media shows him leaning into his Montana roots. He often shares snapshots of horseback trips into the backcountry, packing supplies deep into the mountains, or competing in rodeo-style events. In 2025, he also attended industry expos like the National Demolition Association event in New Orleans, blending his business ventures with his cowboy lifestyle. With humor, he even dubbed himself in his “wanna be cowboy era,” a mix of hard work and personality that makes him relatable to followers.
Ice Road Truckers Revival
Although Reno never made reality TV his full-time career, he has remained close to the trucking community that supported his father. Now, with Ice Road Truckers preparing for a comeback in October 2025 after an eight-year hiatus, longtime fans are watching closely. Veterans like Todd Dewey and Lisa Kelly are confirmed to return, and while Reno’s casting hasn’t been announced, the revival has stirred curiosity about whether he might once again step into his father’s world. The prospect keeps the Ward name closely tied to the enduring legacy of the series.
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