Off-duty Washington Co. deputy is accused of driving drunk in a crash that injured children and a couple

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) accident report states that the accident occurred just before 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 27, on Highway 95 near Scenic Lane in Afton.

According to authorities, Campbell Johnston Blair, 58, of Hastings, was driving a Subaru Crosstrek north on Highway 95 when he crossed the center lane and collided head-on with a southbound Ford Expedition.

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

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

According to the accident report, five children were also in the Ford Expedition at the time of the accident. 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 accident report now states that the children suffered minor injuries, but the report initially did not contain any information about the children in the vehicle.

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

Charges filed

Charges against Blair were filed Thursday afternoon in Washington County Court.

Blair is charged with criminal operation of a vehicle and carrying a handgun while under the influence.

According to the charges, Blair provided a “weak” breath test at the hospital that showed a reading of 0.092 – just above the legal limit.

The indictment also describes the injuries suffered by the accident victims: The driver of the Ford suffered a dislocation of his left foot and a fracture of the ankle, foot bone and tibia on the left side.

The complaint states 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 released the following statement regarding the incident:

“We are aware of the motor vehicle accident involving an off-duty Washington County officer. The Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the incident and we will take all appropriate actions in accordance with our policies and procedures until the investigation reaches a conclusion.”

The Washington County District Attorney's Office said it “received a referral from the investigative agency and 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.