D.C. Council member Marion Barry and one of his ex-wives were hospitalized yesterday following separate incidents.
Mr. Barry, Ward 8 Democrat and former four-term mayor, was being treated for dehydration at Greater Southeast Community Hospital, after complaining that he didn’t feel well Thursday afternoon.
“He was a little dehydrated from the heat,” said Linda Green, Mr. Barry’s chief of staff.
Mr. Barry, 69, has made several appearances around Ward 8 in recent days, and Miss Green said temperatures in the 90s have caused problems for people much younger.
Mr. Barry, who is a diabetic, was expected to be released from the hospital late yesterday.
He is scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration this morning for completion of the reconstruction of Elvans Road in Southeast.
“It’s important for him to be out doing things in the ward while council is on its summer recess,” Miss Green said.
Mr. Barry was in his third term as mayor in 1990, when he was caught on FBI videotape smoking crack.
After a prison term, Mr. Barry won a council seat in 1992, followed by a fourth stint as mayor two years later.
He declined to seek re-election in 1998, but last year won back the council seat.
Mr. Barry was visited at the hospital Thursday evening by his son Christopher, and his third wife, Effi Barry, 61 — who wound up in another hospital hours later after being involved in an automobile accident yesterday morning.
She was in a Kia that was hit by a sport utility vehicle being chased by police. Authorities said the SUV was believed to be carrying two suspects in an armed robbery.
“The car goes on the wrong side of the road, crosses the median, clips the front of a 2003 red Kia,” said Sgt. Joe Gentile, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department.
“She hit her head on the windshield, so she’s being examined at Howard University Hospital’s emergency room,” Miss Green said.
Mrs. Barry’s injuries were not believed to be serious, and she was released in the afternoon, Miss Green said.
Police said the SUV then hit a lamppost, which fell on the back of another car. Both suspects were later arrested.
Although divorced, Marion and Effi Barry have remained friendly. She worked on his 2004 council campaign.
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