(St. Michaels, MD) – Two people were killed this afternoon in a Talbot County crash that involved a state trooper who was responding to a call for a personal injury vehicle crash.

The victims are identified as Maynard W. Lowry, 88, of Tilghman, Md., and his sister, Alma Lowry, 87, also of Tilghman. Mr. Lowry was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Lowry was taken by ambulance to Easton Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly before 5:30 p.m. today.

The trooper involved in the crash is identified as Trooper First Class Philip W. Willoughby, 28, who is assigned to road patrol duties at the Easton Barracks.

TFC Willoughby has been a member of the Maryland State Police for seven and one-half years. He was flown by State Police medevac to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where he was treated for lacerations and contusions before being released this evening.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m. today, TFC Willoughby had just begun his tour of duty when he heard a Talbot County 9-1-1 dispatch for a reported personal injury crash involving an overturned vehicle on Old Trappe Road between Easton and Trappe. He was traveling east on Rt. 33 in St. Michaels at the time and radioed the Easton Barracks to advise he would be en route to the crash.

According to numerous witnesses, TFC Willoughby activated his emergency lights and siren on his marked patrol car and proceeded east on Rt. 33. Witnesses told State Police investigators they heard the siren and saw the emergency lights as the trooper traveled east on the 35 mph roadway and approached a shopping center just east of Madison Avenue. Witnesses said there were no cars in front of the trooper on the straight and level roadway as he neared the shopping center entrance.

The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Lowry, who was driving a four-door 1987 Toyota Cressida, pulled from the shopping center parking lot onto Rt. 33 and into the path of the trooper. The trooper’s 2006 Ford Crown Victoria struck the Toyota on the driver’s side.

The trooper kicked his way out of his patrol car and attempted to provide assistance to the couple in the car. The St. Michael’s Fire Department and other area EMS resources responded and provided assistance.

The fatal collision is being investigated by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, which will conduct a detailed crash reconstruction. The speed the trooper was traveling when the crash occurred has not been determined and will be part of the continuing investigation. Mr. Scott Patterson, Talbot County State’s Attorney, has been informed of this incident and has agreed to review the investigation upon its completion.

Traffic on Rt. 33 was slowed for several hours tonight and was detoured around the crash scene. Personnel from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, St. Michael’s Police Department, and the State Highway Administration assisted with traffic direction and detours.