Alcohol a factor in speedway crash that killed Alto man

CONCORD, N.C. - Published reports say alcohol was a factor in the crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the weekend that killed two people, including an Alto resident.

The Charlotte Observer reports that police have found evidence that Alan Richard Mockus was drinking at Saturday's Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration. They said they'll have to wait until the medical examiner's officer completes some blood work before they'll know how much alcohol was in Mockus' system.

Mockus's wife, Deborah, was also injured in the crash that killed her husband and a 71-year-old South Carolina man.

Deborah Mockus currently works as the City Administrator for the City of Arcade, and has held the position since March 2008, according to the city web site. She at one time was director of the Hall County Parks and Leisure Services Department. She took that job in 2002.

Authorities are still investigating the wreck but say the two motorcycles collided near one of the steepest banks on the track.

The crash happened shortly after a gathering that attracted thousands of people attended a day-long Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration. The free event was sponsored by the USO of North Carolina, the N.C. Association of Broadcasters and the Speedway.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.