Cops: Alcohol a factor in snowmobile crash that killed CBS 2 anchor

Wisconsin authorities are investigating a snowmobile crash that killed WBBM-TV, Channel 2 morning news anchor Randy Salerno late Thursday.

And Salerno's hometown of Crystal Lake is mourning the man who found success but who nevertheless remained a part of their community. He leaves behind his wife and three children.

The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. at Plum Lake, near Sayner, Wis., in the northeast part of the state.

Scott Hirschey, 44, Salerno's childhood friend, was injured in the crash. Officials at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wis., said Hirschey is listed in serious but stable condition.

Investigators from the Vilas County sheriff's department believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

More Coverage Video Salerno bio on cbs2chicago.com

According to a news release from the sheriff's department, Hirschey has been arrested "for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle." Sheriff's officials said he would be jailed once released from the hospital.

Vilas County Chief Deputy Joe Fath said he refused a Breathalyzer test.

The snowmobile involved in the crash was rented by Salerno, according to St. Germain Rental owner Ron Rhodes. They left the shop around 4 p.m., he said.

Rhodes was told by friends who were snowmobiling with Salerno that Hirschey's snowmobile experienced mechanical problems and Salerno offered Hirschey a ride. Salerno's vehicle was meant for one person, Rhodes said. It could top out at 75 to 80 mph.

"The other guy knew where he was going, so Randy let him drive," Rhodes said he was told. "Randy was being a good Samaritan."

Fath said the snowmobile was heading across Plum Lake when the driver lost control.

"They were going across the lake and veered off the trail, and because of the speed they hit several trees along the shore line," Fath said.

Jim Krieck is the president of the Sayner Barnstormers snowmobile club and took a look at the crash site Friday morning with friends. He is familiar with the area that he described as a "popular place to be."

The trail is used by snowmobilers as a shortcut between Star Lake and Plum Lake. He said it's a fairly mundane route that poses little to no danger to even novice snowmobile drivers who follow safety rules. He added that there's a nighttime speed limit of 55 mph.

"They were just crossing the lake and it was a clear night, so they should have been able to see the shore line where the trail goes," Krieck said. "But it looks like they just missed it."

The trail rises at about a 20-degree pitch at the shoreline, Krieck said. But Hirschey veered off and essentially ran into a wall.

"They didn't hit where the trail goes off," he said. "It's off to the side, and at that point it's probably more like 90 degrees."

Salerno's body was taken from Vilas County to Fond du Lac County for the autopsy Friday morning, authorities said. Salerno is survived by his wife, Irene, and their three children: Haley, 13, Slone, 9, and Charlie, 7.

Salerno had grown up in and graduated from Crystal Lake schools, eventually returning to rear his own three children there.

Friends of the popular anchor were stunned by his passing. Salerno's brother Jeff is a McHenry County sheriff's corrections officer.

"I think we're all devastated," said Sheriff Keith Nygren, who has known Randy Salerno since he was a young boy and Nygren was a Crystal Lake police officer visiting local classrooms.

"He was one of those kids that everybody liked," Nygren said. "We've lost a young man who has been one of the favorite sons of Crystal Lake and McHenry County. It's a shame."

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 Superintendent Ron Miller said Salerno's death sent a "shock wave" through the school system.

"We were very proud of him," Miller said of the local celebrity who made himself available to the local schools and groups on a regular basis.

"He was the hometown boy made good in a very visible profession," Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said.

Shepley and Salerno attended Crystal Lake Central High School as freshmen, before Salerno transferred to the then-new Crystal Lake South High School, where he graduated in 1981.

"He was very, very visible in the local community. And he was very giving of his time," Shepley said of a man who often played host for local charity events. "To me what was remarkable, and it says something about his core values, is that he would hold the position he held and still come back to Crystal Lake every day."

And, when he got back to his hometown, Salerno left the celebrity status at the gate.

Recalling a school boundary meeting a couple of years ago, Miller said it was clear Salerno was there as a parent. "He wasn't a Channel 2 news anchor. He was just a dad there worried about his kids, worried about class size. His family came first.

"He was a great dad," he said. " He was very involved in their lives and it's a sad day for everyone."

It was particularly hard to process the news, Miller said, for children who share classrooms with Salerno's children.

"Young students don't understand this sort of thing," he said.

Miller said that in addition to their sadness for Salerno's family, many children will fear the loss of their own parents. The school's social work team is working with the staff and will be available for any students or parents who need an assist, he said.

Lee Linklater, president and founder of the Assisi Animal Foundation, had been looking forward to Salerno again playing host to its fundraiser on Feb. 2.

"What a charming, charming man," she said. "We were all looking forward to it because he's such fun, such a great host and a great guest. People loved talking to him."

She said Salerno "had a soft heart for everything."

Shepley knew Hirschey as well.

The Crystal Lake man and Salerno had been friends since grade school, Shepley said. They played Little League together, attended high school and raised families in the town where they grew up.

"What a horrible, horrible tragedy," the mayor said. "It's the kind of tragedy that makes everybody sit up and realize how precious your moments here are. It's sad."

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Querhammer Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 178 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake.