Adu Unharmed in Car Accident Following Saturday's Game

According to team officials, Freddy Adu's mother and D.C. police reports, the 17-year-old forward-midfielder was driving north on Interstate 295 in the District around 10:30 p.m. when he tried to avoid a man who had dashed from his car after a collision with another car. (Joel Richardson - The Post)

D.C. United's Freddy Adu was uninjured in an auto accident late Saturday night near RFK Stadium after the club's match against the Columbus Crew.

According to team officials, Adu's mother and D.C. police reports, the 17-year-old forward-midfielder was driving north on Interstate 295 in the District around 10:30 p.m. when he tried to avoid a man who had dashed from his car after a collision with another car.

"Adu swerved to avoid the guy running across 295," said D.C. Police spokesman Joe Gentile. Adu's BMW 330i hit a median, then was struck from behind.

"He's fine, he's totally healthy," United spokesman Doug Hicks said. "The car had quite a bit of damage."

Adu's mother, Emelia, said she was in her own vehicle about five cars behind her son when the accident took place. Police were waving drivers around the scene when she said she recognized her son standing on the side of the roadway.

Adu did not receive medical attention at the scene of the accident, but "was complaining of headaches on the drive home" to Rockville, Emelia said.

She took him to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Montgomery County, where he was examined briefly, given pain medication and released, she said.

"We didn't get home until about 3 a.m.," she added.

The driver of the car that hit Adu's vehicle was treated at George Washington University Hospital and released, Gentile said. The driver's name was not released.

Gentile said an investigation into the incident was continuing.

Adu received the BMW last summer as part of an endorsement deal with a local dealership.

Through Hicks, Adu said he did not want to discuss the accident with the media at this time. The team has the day off today and will resume workouts tomorrow morning.

Adu has started 17 of United's 19 games, is sixth on the team in minutes played and tied for first in assists with six. He played 82 minutes during the 3-2 victory over the Crew, a win that stretched United's unbeaten streak to 13 and improved its MLS-best overall record to 13-1-5.

Yesterday, Adu was well enough to attend a team function at Dave & Buster's restaurant and entertainment center at White Flint Mall in Bethesda, where he signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans for several hours. However, his mom had to drop him off and pick him up.

Staff writer Mary Beth Sheridan contributed to this report.