Washington Co. Deputy Drunkenly Crashed Into Family's SUV: Charge

AFTON, MN — A Washington County deputy is accused of drunkenly crashing into a family's SUV in Afton while in full uniform with a pistol in the vehicle.

Campbell J. Blair, 58, was charged Thursday with one count of criminal vehicular operation (causing substantial harm while under the influence of alcohol) and carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol.

If convicted, Blair faces up to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

On Oct. 27 at about 10:40 a.m., Minnesota State Troopers responded to a two-car crash on Highway 95 and Scenic Lane in Afton.

Troopers found a Ford Expedition with two adults and five children, ages two to nine. The other vehicle involved in the crash was a Subaru Crosstrek driven by Blair, authorities said.

Blair was wearing a Washington County Sheriff's Deputy uniform, and his duty vest and pistol were located on his front passenger seat, according to the criminal complaint.

Blair was awake and breathing but covered in blood from lacerations. Blair said he had been called to return to work and was on his way when the crash happened, authorities said.

Blair was transported to Regions Hospital for medical care.

Witnesses told authorities that before the crash, Blair's Crosstrek was driving erratically, including weaving over lane lines and driving on the shoulder.

Traffic was heavy on Highway 95, with vehicles traveling around 55 miles per hour at the time of the crash, according to the criminal complaint.

The collision happened in the southbound lane of Highway 95, indicating that Blair's Crosstrek crossed over the center line and hit the Ford Expedition head-on, according to investigators.

The driver of the Ford Expedition sustained a dislocated left foot, a fractured ankle, a broken bone in his foot, and a shin injury on the left side, along with a laceration to his forehead that was bleeding. He also reported losing consciousness. At the hospital, both the driver and the female passenger in the Ford Expedition told authorities that the crash occurred suddenly and without warning.

Blair denied drinking any alcohol but smelled of a slight odor of alcoholic beverage, authorities said. He agreed to give a preliminary breath sample, which indicated a blood-alcohol level of .092.

Investigators found Blair hadn’t been called back to work, leaving it unclear why he was in full uniform with his duty vest and pistol at the time of the crash, the criminal complaint states.

The legal limit to drive in Minnesota is .08.