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Off-duty Washington Co. deputy accused of driving drunk in crash that hurt kids, couple

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Published  October 31, 2024 12:46pm CDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 9

Washington Co. Deputy charged in drunk driving crash

A Washington County Sheriff's Deputy is accused drinking and driving, causing a crash that injured children and a couple. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the latest.

The Brief

    • An off-duty Washington County deputy is suspected of drinking alcohol before being involved in a head-on crash.
    • The crash injured the deputy as well as five children and two adults in the other vehicle.
    • The crash report states the vehicle driven by the deputy crossed the center skip stripe.

AFTON, Minn. (FOX 9) - An off-duty Washington County deputy is accused of being over the alcohol limit before causing a head-on crash that injured five children and a couple in their 30s. 

What we know

The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) crash report states the crash happened on Highway 95 near Scenic Lane in Afton just before 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Authorities say Campbell Johnston Blair, 58, of Hastings, was driving a Subaru Crosstrek north on Highway 95 when he crossed the center skip stripe and struck a southbound Ford Expedition head-on.

The crash report lists alcohol as a factor in Blair's involvement in the crash. 

Blair is a Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy and was off-duty during the incident. He is currently on administrative leave. 

The crash report states five children were also in the Ford Expedition at the time of the crash. The children included a 2-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy. 

The crash report now states the children sustained minor injuries, but the report did not initially include information on the children in the vehicle.  

A man and a woman, both in their 30s, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Charges filed

On Thursday afternoon, charges were filed against Blair in Washington County Court.

Blair is accused of criminal vehicular operation and carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol.

According to the charges, Blair provided a "weak" breath test sample at the hospital that registered a .092 – just over the legal limit.

The charges also describe the injuries to the victims in the crash, with the driver of the Ford suffering a dislocated left foot along with a fractured ankle, foot bone, and shin on the left side.

The complaint explains that the victims were on their way to an apple orchard when they were hit.

Sheriff's office response

The Washington County Sheriff's Office shared the following statement on the incident:

"We are aware of the motor vehicle injury crash involving an off-duty Washington County deputy. The Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the incident, and we will take all appropriate actions in accordance with our policies and procedures pending the investigation's outcome."

The Washington County Attorney's Office said it "received a referral from the investigating agency and it is currently under review."

Blair's background

The Washington County Sheriff's Office said Blair was hired in 2020.

Blair was also a star hockey player, even having a trophy named in his honor in 2022.  

The Source

  • Information from the Minnesota State Patrol and a statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.