Randy Salerno - 1963-2008 | His best friend, Scott D. Hirschey, is accused of driving under the influence, awaits homicide charge
A boyhood friend of WBBM-Channel 2 news anchor Randy Salerno was accused Friday of killing the television personality in an alcohol-related snowmobiling accident in northern Wisconsin.
Salerno died Thursday night after a snowmobile he was a passenger on slammed into trees after dinner with friends, officials said.
"I don't know what we're going to do without him,'' said his morning and midday co-anchor, Roseanne Tellez. "He was one of a kind."
Salerno, 45, a resident and native of far northwest suburban Crystal Lake, was riding on a snowmobile on Plum Lake near Sayner, Wis., about 90 miles north of Wausau.
Scott D. Hirschey, 44, of Crystal Lake, was driving the snowmobile. He was arrested on allegations of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, said Vilas County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Joe Fath. Formal homicide charges will likely not be filed until next week, said Vilas County District Attorney Albert Moustakis.
Salerno and Hirschey have known each other since second grade, said Salerno's wife, Irene. Even as Salerno left the state for a time before rising to Chicago television stardom and Hirschey remained in Crystal Lake working in construction, the two remained close. Last summer, they shared Little League baseball coaching duties. Hirschey is the godfather of Salerno's son.
"Two buddies having a good time -- to have it end this way . . . it's unbelievable,'' said Salerno's high school basketball coach, Gary Collins.
Hirschey, who was in fair condition at a hospital in Marshfield, Wis., is said to be devastated.
"I'm sure Scott would change places with Randy in a second if he could,'' said Irene Salerno, who added that she has no animosity toward her husband's friend. "It was just a horrible accident,'' she said.
Salerno flew to the area with friends Thursday aboard a private plane, Channel 2 said. The accident occurred after one of the snowmobiles broke down while the group was returning to the Eagle River Inn and Resort about 11:30 p.m., after dinner.
Hirschey agreed to drive a snowmobile designed for one passenger with Salerno riding on back. The snowmobile slid off a trail, throwing Hirschey off, while Salerno "took the full force of impact" when it hit several trees, Channel 2 said.
Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff's office. Hirschey was flown to St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield.
Channel 2 devoted its 11 a.m. newscast, which Salerno usually co-anchored, to his death, with colleagues remembering him fondly.
Reporter Susan Carlson, who delivers traffic reports on the morning show, said that while Salerno could be dry-witted, "if you had a personal thing that was going on in your life that was difficult, Mr. Sarcasm would be the one to send you a touching card. I don't think he wanted that to get out."
"Working with him was a daily delight,'' said Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker, who, as Channel 2 entertainment reporter, worked with Salerno.
Nearly 6-foot-6, Salerno was a star basketball player at Crystal Lake South High School. He was named most valuable player and elected to the school's Hall of Fame in 1981, said boyhood friend Chuck Ahsmann. "Randy was more of a quiet guy in school. You wouldn't imagine him at an anchor desk,'' recalled Ahsmann, who now teaches physics there.
Around Crystal Lake, Salerno would sometimes wear a ball cap and sunglasses. "I used to kid him, 'You've got your disguise on today,''' Collins said. "He wasn't big on 'Hey, I'm Randy Salerno from TV.' "
Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said Salerno was active in community events, often accompanied by Hirschey.
Besides his wife, Irene, whom he met while she was a producer at WGN-TV, a Channel 2 spokeswoman said, he is survived by Haley, 13, a daughter from his wife's earlier marriage; daughter, Slone, 9, and son Charlie, 7. Other survivors include his parents, a brother and a sister.
Source:http://www.suntimes.com
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