Married Attorney Claims Adultery, Not Hit and Run
Posted on Jan 3, 2011 12:30pm PST
The Eagle Tribune in Lawrence has reported that an attorney claims to have been having a "random hookup" with a brunette at the same time he has been accused of driving his wife's truck in a hit and run accident.
Richard Heartquist, of North Andover, after turning himself over to police, was charged with obstruction of justice and leaving the scene of an accident that had resulted in a personal injury.
Heartquist, with law offices at 200 Sutton Street, was released on his own recognizance and arraigned on December 28.
Police contend that Michael Baglieri, 35, of Methuen, sustained both head and leg injuries when Heartquist drove a 2007 white Chevrolet Avalanche into Baglieri's 1985 red Buick sedan at approximately 11:30 p.m. on December 17 at 354 Merrimack Street.
Police Chief John Romero said that witnesses and their "investigation puts him (Heartquist) behind the wheel."
The Avalanche is registered to Allison Heartquist, Richard Heartquist's wife. The two live together at 22 Reservation Terrace.
According to police, Richard Heartquist has a prior DUI conviction from 2005 and his Massachusetts driver's license expired this past July. Detectives were seeking a warrant for his arrest when he turned himself in at the Lawrence police station.
The Avalanche has been impounded, and after a search warrant was issued, detectives removed items for forensic testing.
Heartquist has told police that instead of being the driver in the accident, he was engaged in a one-hour tryst with a woman he met at a bar in Salvatore's restaurant on 354 Merrimack Street.
He claims that he worked in his office until 10 p.m., had a "couple of beers" at Salvatore's and met "Kathy" there. He proceeded to "describe the encounter as a random hookup" with the brown-haired, well-endowed woman.
Heartquist stated to police that the two left the bar together. While he left his truck's engine running - with the keys in the ignition - the two were engaged in sexual activities, across the length of the parking lot, in the woman's small SUV.
Afterwards they took a drive to get something to eat. But Heartquist changed his mind, and called his brother to give him a ride back to the truck.
Detective Thomas Burke, who was interviewing Heartquist along with Detective William Colantuoni, asked Heartquist for his brother's phone number to "corroborate his story". Heartquist denied Burke's request, stating that he didn't want his brother further involved.
At that point Heartquist told the detectives that he didn't want to speak with them any longer.
As the officers were leaving, Heartquist asked whether or not he needed to report the Avalanche stolen as "the car was already recovered." Burke advised him to file the stolen vehicle report and, at press time, no report has been made.
The detectives also noted a visible bruising on Heartquist's right hand and an "abrasion above his left eye." But, as Heartquist had abruptly ended the interview, they were unable to question him as to how and when the injuries occurred.
Allison Heartquist reported to police that her husband told her that he drove her truck to a Christmas party that night and, that later in the evening, "he'd be getting a ride home."
Baglieri told police that the Avalanche pulled out of the parking lot and directly into his car. He watched as the driver fled the vehicle and toward the Merrimack River. An intense search of the area proved fruitless.
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