Marion Barry's Ex-Wife Struck by Vehicle Fleeing Police

Effi Barry, the ex-wife of D.C. Council member and former mayor Marion Barry, was injured this morning after her car was struck by a vehicle fleeing D.C. police in Southeast Washington, authorities said.

The accident occurred about 9 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE near Talbert Street SE, police said. Barry, 61, was taken to Howard University Hospital where she was being treated in the emergency room, officials said.

D.C. Police Cmdr. Joel Maupin said the crash happened after officers began chasing two robbery suspects. During the pursuit, the suspects' car veered into the wrong lane of traffic and crashed into Barry's vehicle, Maupin said.

Maupin said the suspects were arrested, but he could provide no further details. D.C. police officials at the department's 7th District refused to comment on the accident.

Friends of Barry, who lives in Hampton, Va., said the accident was serious, but it did not appear that Barry's life was in danger.

"Her head hit the windshield," said Linda Greene, a friend and chief of staff to council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8). "She is sore."