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US commerce secretary John Bryson takes medical leave | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A US cabinet member involved in three car crashes in California has been given medical leave, his department has said. | A US cabinet member involved in three car crashes in California has been given medical leave, his department has said. |
Secretary of Commerce John Bryson was found unconscious at the wheel of his car after the series of collisions. He is said to have suffered a seizure. | Secretary of Commerce John Bryson was found unconscious at the wheel of his car after the series of collisions. He is said to have suffered a seizure. |
Police described one incident as a hit-and-run, and suspect him of causing all of the crashes on Saturday. | Police described one incident as a hit-and-run, and suspect him of causing all of the crashes on Saturday. |
He was treated for minor injuries and has now returned to Washington. | He was treated for minor injuries and has now returned to Washington. |
According to a statement released by his department, Mr Bryson told President Barack Obama on Monday that he was taking a medical leave "so that I can focus all of my attention on resolving the health issues that arose over the weekend". | According to a statement released by his department, Mr Bryson told President Barack Obama on Monday that he was taking a medical leave "so that I can focus all of my attention on resolving the health issues that arose over the weekend". |
He did not say how long for, but said he would not perform the functions and duties of the office "during the period of my illness". | He did not say how long for, but said he would not perform the functions and duties of the office "during the period of my illness". |
Test results could be available as soon as Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. | |
During a phone call on Tuesday, Mr Obama "encouraged Secretary Bryson to focus his thoughts on his own health and on his own family," a White House spokesman said. | |
Mr Bryson's deputy Rebecca Blank will step up in his absence. | |
A department official told Associated Press that Mr Bryson had not previously suffered a seizure and that the commerce secretary had only a "limited recall of the events". | |
White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that Mr Obama's thoughts were with Mr Bryson and his family. | White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that Mr Obama's thoughts were with Mr Bryson and his family. |
He said Mr Bryson would undergo tests and evaluations during his leave of absence, but did not provide further details. | He said Mr Bryson would undergo tests and evaluations during his leave of absence, but did not provide further details. |
"Secretary Bryson assured the White House that the Commerce Department staff will not miss a beat in their work helping America's businesses compete," Mr Carney said. | "Secretary Bryson assured the White House that the Commerce Department staff will not miss a beat in their work helping America's businesses compete," Mr Carney said. |
Hospital stay | Hospital stay |
Police believe the first crash was caused by Mr Bryson, 68, when his Lexus struck a Buick that was waiting for a train to pass in the city of San Gabriel. | Police believe the first crash was caused by Mr Bryson, 68, when his Lexus struck a Buick that was waiting for a train to pass in the city of San Gabriel. |
Mr Bryson spoke to the three male occupants then left the scene, apparently hitting the car again as he did so, a media release from San Gabriel police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. | Mr Bryson spoke to the three male occupants then left the scene, apparently hitting the car again as he did so, a media release from San Gabriel police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. |
The Buick then followed Mr Bryson's Lexus and the occupants called for police assistance. | The Buick then followed Mr Bryson's Lexus and the occupants called for police assistance. |
A few minutes later, Mr Bryson was involved in a collision with a Honda as he crossed into the nearby city of Rosemead, where he was found alone and unconscious behind the wheel. | A few minutes later, Mr Bryson was involved in a collision with a Honda as he crossed into the nearby city of Rosemead, where he was found alone and unconscious behind the wheel. |
He was alleged to have caused that crash as well, but investigations are at a preliminary stage, police said. | He was alleged to have caused that crash as well, but investigations are at a preliminary stage, police said. |
Police said there was no indication of alcohol or drug use. | Police said there was no indication of alcohol or drug use. |
There were no serious injuries to the passengers in the Buick or the Honda, and Mr Bryson was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, remaining in hospital overnight on Saturday. | There were no serious injuries to the passengers in the Buick or the Honda, and Mr Bryson was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, remaining in hospital overnight on Saturday. |
Mr Bryson's Lexus and the Honda suffered minor damage, and all parties involved had been co-operative, police said. | Mr Bryson's Lexus and the Honda suffered minor damage, and all parties involved had been co-operative, police said. |
Mr Bryson helped develop Edison International into a leading solar and wind power firm, and was confirmed as commerce secretary despite some conservative objections to his pro-environmental connections. | Mr Bryson helped develop Edison International into a leading solar and wind power firm, and was confirmed as commerce secretary despite some conservative objections to his pro-environmental connections. |