CBS Anchor Dies

CBS 2 morning news anchor Randy Salerno died yesterday in a snowmobiling accident in Wisconsin. He was 45.

Salerno, a Crystal Lake native and resident, started his broadcast career at WIFR-TV in Rockford and worked in Peoria and Albany, NY before working at WGN from 1993-2004. He'd been the morning news anchor at WBBM since September 2004, and he won an local Emmy there for his work on their broadcast of the marathon.

Joe Ahern, president and general manager of the station, released a statement saying

Randy was a talented news anchor and a major reason for our recent morning show success. 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.

Salerno was thrown from the back of a friend's snowmobile and hit a tree; he died at the scene, and police say "alcohol and speed are believed to be a factor in the crash." He's survived by his wife and three children. [CBS 2, Ahern's statement, Trib]