Chaparral High School student in crash dies

When the Chaparral High School Class of 2007 holds its graduation ceremonies on the school’s football field Wednesday, the seat of one of its well-liked members will be empty.

Philip Vogel died at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn hospital Wednesday afternoon from injuries he sustained in a car crash on May 16.

Vogel was street racing a fellow student in the 8700 block of Arabian Trail in north Scottsdale about 10 p.m., according to a police report. The Nissan Infiniti Vogel was driving went out of control, hit a tree and a concrete entrance of a neighborhood subdivision, according to the report.

Vogel was not wearing a seatbelt despite the school’s efforts to promote seatbelt safety through signs in the school parking lot, and by members of the faculty urging students to “buckle up” every morning during school announcements.

“Phil made a mistake, and he paid for it,” said Michael Moosbrugger, Vogel’s best friend. “In his mistake, he shook many people and woke them up, including my brother. I know I will never get in a car without putting on my seatbelt.”

Philip’s father, Doug Vogel, told The Tribune Friday he still was coming to grips with his son’s death, who had been in critical condition since the accident.

Doug Vogel also said Justin Lennon, who played hockey with his son, will speak on Phillip’s behalf during the graduation ceremonies.

“Thank God we didn’t have to share the physical pain with anyone,” Doug Vogel said.

Vogel played defense on the school’s club hockey team and worked part-time at Scottsdale’s AZ on the Rocks, a business for rock-climbing enthusiasts like him. He also enjoyed scuba diving, said Moosbrugger, 20, who graduated from Chaparral last year.

Moosbrugger, who said he and Vogel planned to take a trip to Lake Powell this summer to scuba dive, remembered his friend as a someone who would drop whatever he was doing to help.

“I remember last year when Phil was in New Jersey, I had a dirt-bike riding accident. The gas can exploded and caused third-degree burns to my arm,” Moosbrugger said. “When I was in the hospital, Phil sent me a box of Fairytale Brownies and came home early to see me.”

Remembering Philip Vogel:

When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday (Visitation followed by funeral mass)

Where: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 10815 N. 84th Street, Scottsdale

In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up in Philip Vogel’s name at Wells Fargo Bank (Account No. 2654673355) and memorial donations will be forwarded to various charities.