CBS 2's Randy Salerno Dies In Snowmobile Accident

CHICAGO (CBS) ― We have some very sad news
about someone who has helped us say good morning for a very long time in
Chicago.

CBS 2 morning anchor Randy Salerno was killed last night in a
snowmobiling accident. He was snowmobiling with friends in Mercer Wis., near
Eagle River, late Thursday night when his snowmobile broke down. He was picked
up by his childhood friend, Scott Hirschey, and was riding on the back of that
snowmobile when it slid off the trail and struck a tree. Hirschey was thrown
from the snowmobile, while Salerno took the full force of the
impact.

Despite attempts to revive him, Salerno was pronounced dead at
the scene. Hirschey, in his 40s, also of Crystal Lake, has been cited for
operating a snowmobile while intoxicated and charges of homicide by intoxicated
use of a vehicle are pending, according to Vilas County Sheriff's Department
Chief Deputy Joe Fath.

Salerno, 45, 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.''

In the CBS 2 newsroom this
morning, reporters, producers and photographers tearfully hugged each other and
also 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.

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, 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 been email 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.