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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| US commerce secretary John Bryson resigns | US commerce secretary John Bryson resigns |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| A US cabinet member who was found slumped at the wheel of his car after three crashes in California earlier this month has resigned. | A US cabinet member who was found slumped at the wheel of his car after three crashes in California earlier this month has resigned. |
| Commerce Secretary John Bryson announced he was standing down in a letter to department employees. | Commerce Secretary John Bryson announced he was standing down in a letter to department employees. |
| He went on medical leave after the collisions, which were said to have been caused by a seizure. | He went on medical leave after the collisions, which were said to have been caused by a seizure. |
| Police described one of the crashes, which took place on a Saturday in June, as a hit-and-run. | Police described one of the crashes, which took place on a Saturday in June, as a hit-and-run. |
| The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said on Thursday that the incident was still under investigation, although no case has been presented for review. | The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said on Thursday that the incident was still under investigation, although no case has been presented for review. |
| 'Limited recall' | 'Limited recall' |
| Mr Bryson, a 68-year-old former utility executive, took a breath test after the crashes that did not detect alcohol. Police said there was no indication that drugs had played a role either. | |
| In a letter to President Barack Obama, he said: "I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9th could be a distraction from my performance as secretary, and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership." | In a letter to President Barack Obama, he said: "I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9th could be a distraction from my performance as secretary, and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership." |
| Mr Obama said he had accepted Mr Bryson's resignation letter on Wednesday evening, extending his "deepest thanks and appreciation to John for his service over the past months". | Mr Obama said he had accepted Mr Bryson's resignation letter on Wednesday evening, extending his "deepest thanks and appreciation to John for his service over the past months". |
| The president is expected to meet the former secretary in the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon to thank him for his service. | The president is expected to meet the former secretary in the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon to thank him for his service. |
| In the first collision on 9 June, Mr Bryson's Lexus hit a Buick in the city of San Gabriel. | In the first collision on 9 June, Mr Bryson's Lexus hit a Buick in the city of San Gabriel. |
| He spoke to three male occupants of the vehicle and left the scene, but apparently hit the car again as he did so, said police. | He spoke to three male occupants of the vehicle and left the scene, but apparently hit the car again as he did so, said police. |
| 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 another collision with a Honda as his car crossed into the nearby city of Rosemead. He was found alone and unconscious behind the wheel. | A few minutes later, Mr Bryson was involved in another collision with a Honda as his car crossed into the nearby city of Rosemead. He was found alone and unconscious behind the wheel. |
| Commerce officials said Mr Bryson had not previously suffered a seizure and had "limited recall of the event". | Commerce officials said Mr Bryson had not previously suffered a seizure and had "limited recall of the event". |
| Usually a good public speaker, Mr Bryson stumbled over words and lost his place while delivering a speech at his daughter's graduation two days before the traffic accidents, the Los Angeles Times reported. | |
| His deputy, Rebecca Blank, has stood in for him during his leave as acting secretary. | His deputy, Rebecca Blank, has stood in for him during his leave as acting secretary. |
| Mr Bryson had served in the post for less than one year, replacing Gary Locke, who was named US ambassador to China. | Mr Bryson had served in the post for less than one year, replacing Gary Locke, who was named US ambassador to China. |