Prosecutor: Plea deal reached in Salerno case

A Crystal Lake man accused of driving drunk in a snowmobile accident that killed Chicago news anchor Randy Salerno has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Scott Hirschey, 44, of Crystal Lake is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in Eagle River, Wis., where Salerno died Jan. 24, 2008.

Vilas County District Attorney Albert Moustakis confirmed late Friday that a plea deal has been reached but said details would not be disclosed until a July 20 court appearance. He declined to comment further.

Salerno died when Hirschey's snowmobile hit an embankment near Plum Lake and flew 20 feet or more through the air before striking a tree. Authorities said Hirschey's blood-alcohol level was well above the legal limit of 0.08 some four hours after the crash.

Salerno, 45, also of Crystal Lake, reportedly was not intoxicated. Authorities say he rode with Hirschey after his own rented snowmobile failed to start after stopping at a pub.

Salerno was an anchor and reporter for WGN-TV for 11 years before moving to CBS' WBBM-TV in 2004. Hirschey has told investigators the two were best friends and it was Salerno's first time on a snowmobile.

The maximum punishment for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle is 25 years in prison.

Neither Hirschey nor his attorney could be reached for comment.