WASHINGTON COUNTY, Minn. — A Washington County deputy has been charged after he allegedly caused a head-on collision with a family while driving in an intoxicated state.
According to the charges, multiple witnesses saw a car, driven by 58-year-old Washington County Sheriff's Office Deputy Campbell Blair, swerving erratically before it struck a vehicle carrying two adults and five children.
Minnesota State troopers initially responded to the call before 11 a.m. on Oct 27, where they found an SUV carrying the adults and children aged 2-9.
The other vehicle, was driven by Blair, who was wearing his deputy uniform and had his duty vest and pistol in the front seat with him.
The state patrol didn't conduct field sobriety tests because Blair was extricated from his vehicle, but a later PBT sample showed a result of .092, according to the charging document.
According to the document, witnesses said they observed Blair's vehicle weaving over lanes and driving erratically.
Troopers said 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.
The primary impact occurred in the southbound lanes, meaning Blair's vehicle drove over the center line and struck the victim's vehicle, according to the charges. No brake marks were observed at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was hospitalized, more information on the condition of the children will be released on Friday.
"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.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
