Former Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced for Drunk Driving Crash
A now-former Washington County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to four months in the workhouse and four years’ probation for driving drunk while off duty and crashing head-on into a family’s SUV on an Afton highway, seriously injuring the driver, who was heading to an apple orchard with his wife and several children.
Campbell Johnston Blair, 59, of Hastings, was intoxicated and wearing his sheriff’s office uniform while heading south on Minnesota 95 (St. Croix Trail) at Scenic Lane just after 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27, 2024. His duty pistol was on the front passenger seat.
Campbell Johnston Blair (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)
Crash Details and Investigation
Erik and Heather Sward, of Woodbury, were on their way to an apple orchard to celebrate their daughter’s second birthday. The couple’s two other children, ages 6 and 8, and their two cousins, 7 and 9, were also in the 2022 Ford Expedition, according to the state patrol.
Blair, driving a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek SUV, crossed over the center line and smashed into the couple’s SUV at 55 mph, the criminal complaint said. Erik Sward’s injuries included a spinal fracture and fractures to his lower left leg. Heather and three of the children emerged with minor injuries, according to prosecutors.
Blair was put on administrative leave from his job and resigned Feb. 1. He’d been a deputy since 2020 and was assigned to the court security unit. The Washington County Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, but court proceedings were held in Anoka County District Court to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
Sentence and Plea Agreement
In September, Blair entered a Norgaard plea to felony criminal vehicular operation-causing substantial bodily harm and a gross misdemeanor charge of criminal vehicular operation-causing bodily harm. Under a Norgaard plea, a defendant says they are unable to remember what happened due to drug use or mental health impairment at the time, but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Six other charges were dismissed at Tuesday’s sentencing as part of a plea agreement Blair reached with the prosecution: carrying a pistol while under the influence of alcohol, which is a misdemeanor, and five additional counts of criminal vehicular operation.
Anoka County District Judge Todd Schoffelman handed down a 364-day workhouse sentence, then stayed all but 120 days. Blair will receive one day of jail credit toward the workhouse term, which will begin Jan. 2. The sentence includes a stay of imposition, which means Blair’s felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor if he successfully completes terms of probation.
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