A Chicago, Illinois news anchorman has died from injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident, according to several news outlets, including CBS News in Chicago. Randy Salerno, a morning anchor for CBS News, was killed Thursday night in a snowmobiling accident in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Salerno was a passenger on a snowmobile when the driver lost control and struck several trees. Investigators are stating that alcohol and speed may have contributed to the accident.
The accident happened around 11:30 p.m. in the Township of Blum Lake, Wisconsin and Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department and the Vilas County Coroner’s office are investigating the accident. The driver of the snowmobile was taken to an area hospital, but no other information has been released on the driver’s condition.
Salerno, 45, had been with CBS News since 2004. He was previously a reporter and anchor with WGN for 12 years. He also worked at stations in Albany, New York and Peoria. He won a local Emmy Award for his work on the 2004 broadcast of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.