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Bail reduced for man accused in fatal hit-run of off-duty cop

A judge reduced bail for Louis John Vogwill, accused of crashing into off-duty cop Lamar Poole Sr. and fleeing the scene.

Louis John Vogwill
Louis John VogwillRead more

A JUDGE YESTERDAY reduced bail for a man charged in the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed an off-duty police officer who was riding his motorcycle in Northeast Philadelphia in August.

Louis John Vogwill, 59, was being held in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail in the crash that killed Officer Lamar Poole Sr., 42, who was crossing Roosevelt Boulevard in Oxford Circle when he was allegedly hit by Vogwill's car.

Municipal Judge Teresa Carr Deni yesterday reduced Vogwill's bail to $200,000 after hearing arguments from attorneys and receiving character letters in support of Vogwill from defense attorney Michael Engle. One letter said Vogwill had been in the Air Force.

Engle told the judge that "perhaps" his client was "under the influence of drugs or alcohol," but a toxicology report showed there was "no evidence of any alcohol or drugs in his system."

Engle called his client's leaving the scene of the crash "poor judgment . . . based on his panic and the site of the accident itself."

Vogwill, who worked as a pizza-delivery driver for Ernie's Pizza on Cottman Avenue and was living with a co-worker on Loretto Avenue, in Oxford Circle, is not a flight risk and "does not have significant resources to go anywhere," Engle said.

Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore opposed a bail reduction. She told the judge that Vogwill was a flight risk at least on that day. After the crash, Vogwill fled the scene, she said.

Police have said a tow-truck driver who witnessed the crash chased down Vogwill and stopped him a half-mile away at Harbison Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard until cops arrived.

Pescatore said that although a toxicology report was negative, Vogwill told cops "he had smoked a little marijuana." She said there are some types of marijuana that don't show up in the toxicology report.

The crash occurred on Aug. 30, Vogwill's birthday. Vogwill was driving his 1999 Toyota Corolla westbound on Devereaux Avenue and was making a left to go south on Roosevelt Boulevard when the back side of his car allegedly hit Poole, who was traveling east on Devereaux and crossing the boulevard on his motorcycle.

Pescatore said Vogwill was previously sentenced to jail for a 2004 conviction in Idaho for battery and domestic violence.

Vogwill, who was not in court for his bail hearing, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing yesterday on charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, DUI and related offenses. The hearing was postponed to Dec. 9.

Poole, a married father of seven children, was assigned to the 12th District in Southwest Philly, but was detailed to West Philly's 18th District cell room.

On Twitter: @julieshawphilly