Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― We are mourning the loss someone who has helped us say good morning for a very long time in Chicago.

CBS 2 morning anchor Randy Salerno was killed late Thursday night in a snowmobiling accident--and now, Salern's childhood friend Scott Hirschey, who was driving the snowmobile, faces possible criminal charges.

Salerno was snowmobiling with friends in Sayner, Wis., near Eagle River, late Thursday night when the snowmobile driven by Hirschey broke down.  Hirschey then agreed to drive Salerno's snowmobile with Salerno riding as a passenger.

They were riding together on a 2007 model Ski-Doo, designed for just one rider. They apparently headed across Plum Lake and then struck several trees, according to a Vilas County Sheriff's Department press release. Hirschey was thrown from the snowmobile, while Salerno took the full force of the impact. Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hirschey has been arrested and could be charged with homicide for using a vehicle while intoxicated, and cited for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated, according to the sheriff's department. Conviction on the charge could result in a 15-year sentence and a $100,000 fine. At the scene, Hirschey reportedly refused to take a breathalyzer test.

(1/28/08 update: Prosecutors clarified on Monday that charges had not been filed yet against Hirschey. He was arrested and prosecutors were planning to decide within the next two days whether or not to charge Hirschey with a crime.)

Tim Price, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources warden who investigated the crash, said the 45-year-old Salerno was riding as a passenger because Hirschey's snowmobile would not start after their group had stopped at a pub.

Price, who said he was told Thursday was the first time Salerno had ever been snowmobiling, said Hirschey and Salerno  missed a trail exit off Plum Lake. The snowmobile hit an embankment and flew at least 20 feet before striking a tree.

Hirschey, 44, was airlifted to an area hospital, and Price said he suffered at least some broken ribs.

An autopsy was to be performed Friday in Fond du Lac. It is believed that Randy died instantly after slamming into those trees.

Randy had rented the snowmobile from St. Germain rentals in Eagle River. The man who runs the firm said that it was, in his words, "a dangerous mistake" for the two men to ride on a vehicle with a seat for just one.

Friday night in Lake Villa, snowmobile dealer Jeff Nielsen of Nielsen Enterprises showed CBS 2 the type of one-person sled Randy and his buddy Scott Hirschey squeezed onto to ride home from dinner last night.

At Nielsen's showroom, posters stressing safety are everywhere. "Snowmobiling and alcohol don't mix," they say. Even the manufacturers' warranty makes buyers sign a pledge not to operate a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"They put that warning on, so people don't stop to warm up, drink and then ride," Nielsen said.

Those who did, according to Wisconsin officials, were involved in 8 of the 10 fatal snowmobile accidents already this season. Every year, more than 30 people have died in Wisconsin, more than half the result of alcohol.

Trying to make the sport safer, they stress sophisticated protective gear for riders and restraints on vehicles than can go a hundred miles an hour. Wisconsin has cut the nighttime speed limit for snowmobiles and has the same blood alcohol limits for snowmobilers that they do for drivers.

In this case, the combination of speed, alcohol and two men on a one-person sled, claimed the life of a good man and respected colleague.

Salerno has been with CBS 2 since September 2004. Prior to working at CBS 2, he worked at WGN-TV (1993-2004), as anchor of the midday newscast. Previously, he served as a general assignment reporter and as the weekend morning news anchor (1994-1999).

"Randy was a talented news anchor and a major reason for our recent morning show success,'' CBS 2 President and General Manager Joe Ahern said in a statement. "But it was Randy's sense of humor and quick wit that separated him from the rest. He was a skilled journalist, trusted colleague and dear friend to many in our newsroom--especially to our morning team. This loss is too much to bear for all us, I think."

Co-anchor Roseanne Tellez worked with Salerno for 16 years, both here at CBS and at WGN. "I just want everybody to know how lucky I feel to work with this guy, who was just so funny,'' Tellez said. "He was so smart and so talented.''

In the CBS 2 newsroom this morning, reporters, producers and photographers tearfully hugged each other and laughed as they shared their stories of working with one of Chicago's most gifted television journalists. At the same time, they all were preparing for the next newscast--a difficult, but necessary task.

"Randy had a way of walking down the hall and into the room that I'll never forget,'' CBS 2 News Director Carol Fowler said. "He took charge, always. Randy was a tough competitor as a street reporter, and a sharp wit on the anchor desk. This is a huge loss for us all. This world becomes your second family. You learn people's quirks, sense of humor and their personal and professional side."

His personal side was that of family man. That is so apparent when you walk into Randy's office – missing are the journalism awards and accolades. Instead, photos of his wife and three children adorn his shelves and desk; his kids' artwork hangs on the walls. They were his life, but he truly enjoyed his job, too.

Before working at WGN, Salerno was a reporter and weekend anchor at WNYT-TV in Albany, N.Y. Prior to that, he worked at WMBD-TV and WHOI-TV in Peoria. He began his broadcasting career at WIFR-TV in Rockford as a general assignment reporter.

He won a local Emmy Award for his work on CBS 2's 2004 broadcast of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Salerno lived in Crystal Lake, the town where he grew up.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Irene, their three children, Haley, 13, Slone, 9 and Charlie 7, and their extended family at this very difficult time.

Memories have been pouring in from those who knew Salerno – either personally or just through the TV screen.

"He was a really good and funny guy… he was a good broadcaster, and there aren't that many of those around," Steve Dahl of 104.3 JACK-FM said on his show Friday morning. Salerno often worked with Gary Meier on his show on the former WCKG-FM radio. Dahl, Meier's longtime radio partner, said Randy was "very funny" on Meier's show.

Numerous CBS 2 viewers have emailed their thoughts and prayers.

"I could not believe the tragic news when I heard it on the radio. He really grew on me and I loved his humor," wrote Carol Walters. "He will be sorely missed."

"I just loved his personality... his smirk... his sarcasm," added Mary Ann Knepper. "He was just a "real guy"... in a suit!"

He always made us all laugh, and that is how we will always remember him.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports, she had the pleasure of working with Randy for 12 years and she and her husband called Randy and his wife friends.

Kozlov recalls a conversation they had once: He said to me: "Kozlov, you need to stop worrying so much about your job and what you can't control and save your energy for your husband and eventual children. It resonated with me, probably because Randy rarely gave you life lessons."

Sometimes you thought it just wasn't fair -- Randy could make this job look so easy. But behind his good cheer and lightning-fast wit, Randy Salerno took his work seriously.

"We're going to rally around each other, share this tremendous loss together as a family and hopefully support his family in the coming days and months ahead," Ahern said.

Visitation will be Tuesday, from 1-9 p.m. at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176) in Crystal Lake. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 178 McHenry Ave. in Crystal Lake.

Donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at 430 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 603, Chicago, IL 60611. Identify Randy Salerno in the memo section of the check. All donations made in support of Randy will benefit Duchenne Research.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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