WASHINGTON COUNTY, Minn. — A Washington County deputy has been charged after he allegedly crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a family while intoxicated.
Court documents say multiple witnesses saw a vehicle driven by 58-year-old Washington County Sheriff's Office Deputy Campbell Johnston Blair swerving erratically and crossing lane lines on Highway 95 in Afton for at least two miles before it struck an SUV carrying two adults and five children
Minnesota State troopers responded to the call just after 10:30 a.m. on Oct 27, where they found an SUV carrying the adults and children ages 2 through 9. The other vehicle, a Subaru Crosstrek, was driven by Blair, who was wearing his deputy uniform and had his duty vest and pistol in the front seat. He was conscious but covered in blood and lacerations.
Prosecutors say Blair told a trooper on the scene he had worked an overnight shift at Regions Hospital. He said he was returning to the hospital after being called back to work, but investigators later determined that was untrue.
The criminal complaint says State Troopers didn't conduct field sobriety tests because Blair was extricated from his vehicle and rushed to Regions Hospital for treatment, but a test performed later indicated a BAC of .092, according to the charging document.
Reconstruction indicated Blair's vehicle was traveling northbound on Highway 95 at approximately 55 miles per hour, while the victim was traveling southbound at approximately the same speed. Troopers say the primary impact occurred in the southbound lanes, suggesting Blair's vehicle drove over the center line and struck the victim's vehicle. No brake marks were observed at the scene.
When interviewed after the crash, one of the victims told troopers the family was headed to an apple orchard to celebrate her youngest child's birthday.
The driver of the SUV was hospitalized with fractures and a dislocated foot and had to undergo surgery following the crash.
Washington County spokesperson Laura Perkins confirms that Blair is employed as a deputy, and said he has been placed on administrative leave. She added that an internal investigation into the incident has been launched.
"We hold our deputies to the highest standards and are committed to maintaining the public's trust. Deputy Blair has been placed on administrative leave and we have opened an internal investigation. We extend our sincerest support to the family involved as they recover." said the Washington Co. Sheriff’s Office in a statement.
Blair is charged with criminal vehicular operation - causing substantial bodily harm and carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.