By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Epsom’s state representative and town attorney Tony Soltani is charged with a misdemeanor and a negligent driving violation, after fleeing a Valentine’s Day traffic accident, according to police.

Soltani said he wasn’t aware that the Feb. 14 accident had occurred as he was fumbling with a plastic drink container and veered off I-393 in Concord.

Soltani, who was driving a green 1996 Dodge Stratus with legislative plates and a large bumper sticker bearing his name, said he was running late, headed to a meeting at the State House.

State police responded to a call from the accident’s other driver, 28-year-old Andover resident Bridgette Dukette, and later tracked down Soltani at the State House.

Soltani said he doesn’t remember any impact and realized he’d been in an accident only after police inspected his vehicle and found scratches and paint from Dukette’s vehicle on a protrusion over the wheel well of his Stratus.

“I wasn’t even aware I’d been in an accident,” said Soltani. “The damage on both vehicles would confirm that because it’s barely visible.”

Soltani, who said he has a clean driving record, said he called Dukette to apologize and offered to cover any damages.

Soltani also said he plans to plead not guilty to the charge of conduct after an accident.

“It would be crazy for me to leave the scene of an accident when I’ve got my name on the back of the car,” said Soltani.

Soltani is scheduled for arraignment in Concord District Court on May 8.