Charges: An off-duty Washington County officer consumed alcohol before crashing head-on in Afton

An outside service Washington County Deputy has been charged with consuming alcohol while driving, causing a head-on collision in Afton on Sunday.

Campbell Johnston Blair, 58, was charged with one count of operating a criminal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and one count of carrying a handgun while under the influence of alcohol.

At 10:39 a.m. Sunday, Minnesota State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash at Highway 95 and Scenic Lane in Afton, according to court documents.

At the scene, officials observed a Ford Expedition occupied by seven people: two adults in the driver and passenger seats and five children, ages two to nine.

The other vehicle involved was a Subaru Crosstrek driven by Blair, who was wearing a Wahington County Sheriff’s deputy uniform. Blair was conscious, but covered in blood from the cuts.

He told a soldier he had been called to return to work at Regions Hospital. No field sobriety test was performed as Blair was removed from his Crosstrek and taken to the hospital for medical care.

According to court records, the Crosstrek was seen by several witnesses weaving across lane lines and driving erratically.

Troopers believe the Crosstrek was traveling north on Highway 95 at about 60 miles per hour. Authorities say the Crosstrek crossed the center line and struck the Expedition head-on in the southbound lane.

It was later learned that Blair was not called back to work and that he did not return to work until Sunday evening.

Blair denied drinking alcohol but provided a PBT sample that resulted in a reading of .092.

Both adults in the expedition suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the Minnesota State Patrol added that the five children suffered minor or non-life-threatening injuries.

A Washington County spokesperson provided the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS:

“We are aware of the motor vehicle injury accident involving a Washington County sheriff’s deputy. The Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the incident and we will take all appropriate actions in accordance with our policies and procedures pending the outcome of the investigation.”