Washington County Deputy Pleads Guilty in Afton Drunk Driving Crash

Oct 3

A Washington County sheriff’s deputy has pleaded guilty to felony charges after a head-on crash in Afton last fall.

The crash left a father seriously injured while he was driving his family to an apple orchard to celebrate one of their children’s birthdays.

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Court records show 59-year-old Campbell Johnston Blair pleaded guilty on Sept. 29 to felony criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol and to a misdemeanor count of carrying a pistol while under the influence. As part of the plea deal, six other counts tied to the passengers injured in the crash were dismissed. No sentencing agreement was included.

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 27, 2024 on Highway 95 near Scenic Lane in Afton. Troopers say Blair, dressed in his deputy uniform, was driving a Subaru Crosstrek northbound when he crossed the center line and struck a Ford Expedition carrying two adults and five children ages two to nine. Witnesses reported seeing Blair’s vehicle weaving in and out of lanes for nearly two miles before the collision.

The victims told troopers they had been headed to an apple orchard to celebrate their youngest child’s birthday when the Expedition was struck head-on without warning. The driver suffered a fractured ankle, shin and foot bones, a forehead laceration and a spinal fracture, requiring surgery and hospitalization.

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Blair, who was conscious but covered in blood at the scene, told troopers he was returning to work at Regions Hospital after finishing an overnight shift. Investigators later learned he had not actually been called back in to work, and it was unclear why Blair was in his uniform. A preliminary breath test at the hospital showed a result of .092, and troopers obtained a blood sample under a search warrant.

Because Blair said he could not recall the circumstances of the crash, he entered a Norgaard plea, acknowledging that while he does not remember the incident, he accepts that the state’s evidence would likely lead to a conviction if the case went to trial.

The felony vehicular operation charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while the misdemeanor weapons charge is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2nd.

Authorities have not released further details about Blair’s current employment status with the sheriff’s office, though his peace officer license is currently inactive according to the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training board.

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