Darrell Ward was a businessman, reality television star, and truck driver who was born in Rock Creek, Montana, on August 13, 1964. His appearance in the History Channel’s “Ice Road Truckers” is his most well-known role. On August 28, 2016, he died in an aviation accident.
Early Years
Darrell Ward (Pinterest)Darrell learned what he knows about the industry as a young man because his family has been in the trucking industry for generations. Darrell Ward developed an interest in outdoor pursuits including camping, fishing, and hiking, as might be anticipated of a Deer Lodge native. In his teens, he began riding bicycles and picked up how to use harvesting equipment.
There is no information available regarding his siblings, parents, or education.
Career
Career In Trucking
He began driving trucks at a young age and focused on winter driving. When the creators of “Ice Road Truckers” initially contacted Darrell, he already had at least 30 years of experience.
Itinerant Truckers
In 2007, “Ice Road Truckers” debuted to rave reviews from viewers. A six-month-long reality series on This History follows the exploits of several truckers as they navigate perilous ice roads in Canada and Alaska to deliver supplies to rural villages during the winter. “Ice Road Truckers” was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for Non-Fiction Programming as a result of its positive evaluations.
In addition to his charisma, Darrell, who joined the cast of the show in its sixth season in 2012, won over viewers by lending a hand to both his rivals and fellow truckers in times of need.
Is Trucking On The Ice Road Dangerous?
Ice road trucking is much riskier than regular trucking due to the challenging freezing conditions in the winter and the additional challenging road conditions.
Truckers face major risks when driving in these chilly conditions when temperatures can drop as low as -70°C and drop as low as -50°C. Mechanical problems and hypothermia are both potential risks.
Ice roads typically consist of frozen rivers, ponds, lakes, and other types of topography rather than actual roads.
Ice can support 100,000 pounds of weight when the vehicle is driving under these harsh conditions, but only 60,000 pounds when it is still. This means that large trucks must continually be moving to avoid the risk of sinking and shattering the ice, but speed should not exceed 15 mph (25kph).
Only senior, experienced truckers should work on ice roads because of the danger and uncertainty involved. Typically, trucking companies don’t offer these positions since they are reserved for specific businesses with the necessary level of experience.
There aren’t many stops on these highways, if any, sometimes across several hundred miles/kilometers, so truckers must equip themselves with enough food, water, and medical supplies while traveling.
Individual Life
Family
Darrell Ward and Gwen Menhusen-Ward allegedly wed in the late 1980s, however, their precise wedding date is uncertain. They had two children together.
Their oldest child, Reno, has adopted his father’s profession and is now a truck driver. The younger daughter, Terra, is married to Jarrett Brooks and has two children. She works at a primary school in Kansas.
Death
On August 28, 2016, Darrell Ward sadly lost his life while trying in vain to land his aircraft at Rock Creek Airport in Montana. The crash also claimed the life of 56-year-old Mark Melotz, Ward’s co-pilot. The incident happened as the two were traveling back from Dallas, Texas, where Darrell had attended The Great American Truck Show.
After wrapping off the 10th season of “Ice Road Truckers,” Ward was headed to Missoula, Montana to begin filming a brand-new History series on the recovery of “plane wrecks.”
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the plane crash after receiving a pilot witness’ account, and it reported the following accident facts: The witness reported that the aircraft abruptly veered 90° to the right while on a short final approach, with a bank angle of between 30° and 40°, while it was around 15 feet over the runway. The aircraft continued at a low altitude toward the airport’s northern edge, colliding with a group of trees before passing through them and coming to rest upright on the south shoulder of an expressway.
Shortly thereafter, a post-crash fire developed and engulfed the airplane.’
Sadly, post-accident investigations failed to identify the reason for the accident: “Examination of the airframe and engine did not discover any mechanical defects that would have precluded normal operation.” During the investigation, the cause of the abrupt right turn while on a short final approach was unable to be ascertained.
On his official Facebook page, Darrell’s family posted the sad news, saying that the “things Darrell loved most were his family, including his kids and grandkids & trucking.” History Channel viewers and executives expressed their sympathy.
Altruism
Darrell Ward was well-known in his neighborhood for being a kind person.
He raised money and gave his own to aid those affected by the Louisiana floods while also assisting local authorities in Montana fight forest fires. He was supposed to serve as the Truck Convoy’s Marshall and raise money for the Special Olympics in Nova Scotia at the time of his passing.
Truck Convoy announced a special memorial tour to commemorate Ward with his son Reno’s participation a month after Darrell’s passing. The Darrell Ward Tribute Tour, which was celebrated on September 24, included Marc Springer, Todd and Tamera Sturgis, Bruce Lacasse, and Darrell’s manager Bob Stanton.
Stanton described how significant the occasion was for Ward: “Darrell traveled to Nova Scotia and was the Convoy Marshall for the 2016 Convoy for Special Olympics Nova Scotia.
He and our crew spoke about how eager he was to visit Eastern Canada for the first time to meet his supporters and the athletes the day before his accident. We were aware that Darrell would want us to honor his promise to his supporters and this event.
The response Stanton received when he suggested that his staff take part in Ward’s homage was, naturally, optimistic: “everyone was on-board to make this tribute a success in his memory.”
Net Worth
According to reports, truck drivers make between $20,000 and $80,000 during an ice road driving season, which can last anywhere between six weeks and several months.
Despite being a remarkably good salary, it aims to make up for the risks this profession involves.
Darrell’s Ward estimated net worth at the time of his death was over $500,000. This is because, in addition to receiving an ice road trucker income, he also received payment for his roles in “Ice Road Truckers.”
Body Structure
Darrell Ward was a Caucasian male with attractive features, brown eyes, and brown hair. He was of powerful physique, though it is unknown what his weight and height were.
Interesting Statistics
Darrell Ward (Pinterest)He was featured in the “Parts Service” magazine.
Darrell enjoyed outdoor activities and was always up for daring yet exciting excursions. He self-described as an “adrenaline junkie.”
Any road, any load, according to his family and friends, completely captured his character.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s report on Darrell’s tragedy notes that a commercial pilot with years of experience was in control of the aircraft when it crashed. Ward’s Facebook page death announcement, however, reads: “He (Darrell) and his co-pilot crashed and lost their lives.” Given that Ward’s only known occupation was as a truck driver, this has raised questions about whether or not he was the plane’s pilot.
To know Darrell Ward was an honor and a privilege that I will take with me for the rest of my life said Chuck Campbell, who was close friends with Darrell. We bid adieu to a wonderful man who made everyone in his vicinity feel special. I perished together with him in a way.