The Obama administration is starting off the week on the wrong foot. And that foot may just have been run over by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson. The Cabinet member is reportedly under investigation for a felony hit-and-run that took place in Los Angeles County Saturday.
Bryson was driving alone in a Lexus on a major street in San Gabriel when he allegedly struck the rear end of a vehicle occupied by three males that had been stopped for a passing train.
The secretary spoke briefly with the occupants and then hit their car again as he departed, the officials said. The three followed him while calling police.
But Secretary Bryson didn’t stop at just one car accident.
Commerce Secretary John Bryson cited for felony hit and run re/two accidents Saturday in California.
— ric ward (@riccnn) June 11, 2012
Minutes after the first collision, Bryson hit another vehicle. Authorities found him unconscious. He was taken to the hospital and treated for non life-threatening injuries.
US Commerce Secretary John Bryson out of the hospital but still facing charges in connection with hit and run crashes in California…
— Steve Chenevey FOX5 (@stevechenevey) June 11, 2012
While his life was not in danger, his career may be on life support.
Commerce Secretary John Bryson involved in two hit-and-run accidents, transported to the hospital for career-threatening injuries.
— DannyMoe (@danmoser1961) June 11, 2012
Drugs and alcohol were reportedly not a factor in the accidents.
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If it wasn't drugs or alcohol, what made John Bryson @CommerceSec think LA County was a demolition derby? http://t.co/eP9pBDbe
— Celeste Headlee (@CelesteHeadlee) June 11, 2012
Bryson’s nomination to the Cabinet was approved in October, but he’s getting a lot more press for this weekend’s collisions.
U know what's so crazy? For a guy who is the top business guy in Obama Cabinet, I've never heard of him; can't remember ever seeing him
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) June 11, 2012
But no worries, Team Obama is doing fine.
Erica Hill to Axe re: Bryson – "tough way to start the week after last week and this weekend. any concern about that?" #DoingFine
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) June 11, 2012
UPDATE:
CNN JUST IN: U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson suffered from a seizure, according to the Commerce Dept.
— Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) June 11, 2012
A aide at Commerce says Secy Bryson was on personal time in California without a security detail. He was driving his own vehicle.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 11, 2012
The spokeswoman says Bryson has returned to D.C. and has no public appearances today.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 11, 2012
Re: Commerce Sec Bryson – seems a seizure caused accidents. FYI Cited for hit &run, but he stopped &talked to other driving before leaving.
— Jamal Simmons (@JamalSimmons) June 11, 2012
The results of drug and alcohol tests are not yet available and a Los Angeles County official says the Commerce Department’s statement about Bryson’s seizure cannot be confirmed.
@BillHemmer interviewed an LA lieutenant. Bryson alcohol/drug tests are not in yet. Cannot confirm a seizure.
— Brent Munlin (@Bmunlin) June 11, 2012
Bryson blacked out at a board meeting four years ago, according to a witness who spoke with ABC News.
Bryson's office says he had a seizure; witness tells ABC News Bryson blacked out at Boeing board meeting 4 yrs ago http://t.co/srBtixUe
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 11, 2012
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