John Bryson, Commerce Secretary, Charged With Felony Hit-and-Run, Released From Hospital

Commerce Secretary John Bryson has been released from the hospital where he was sent after two Saturday hit-and-run crashes.

Bryson’s reason for being taken to the Los Angeles-area hospital in San Gabriel Valley was not disclosed by the Commerce Department, but this morning, the agency released a brief and vague statement about Bryson’s arrest for felony hit-and-run following the incident and indicated he had not been hurt in the crashes:

“Secretary Bryson was involved in a traffic accident over the weekend… He was taken to the hospital for examination and has been released. He has sustained no injuries and the investigation is ongoing.”

John Bryson’s accidents occurred after 5 p.m. Saturday, as the Secretary’s Lexus was stopped at a railroad crossing near a Buick. Bryson is said to have rear-ended the other vehicle while the cars waited for a train to pass. The Los Angeles Times describes what happened next as Bryson attempted to leave the scene:

“After briefly stopping to talk to the three men inside the Buick, Bryson left the location in the Lexus and then struck the Buick a second time, authorities said. The men followed Bryson’s car and called 911 to ask for police assistance, according to the police statement.

“Bryson continued to drive his Lexus into Rosemead, which is patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, authorities said. There, he allegedly crashed into a second vehicle near the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and Hellman Avenue, they said.”

Bryson was then discovered reportedly unconscious behind the Lexus’ wheel, and was taken to hospital as well as charged. Los Angeles Police say that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the series of collisions.

Obama advisor David Axelrod acknowledged the situation this morning, saying:

“Well, this news broke overnight, so I don’t really have anything to contribute. Obviously it’s concerning, but I’m not going to comment because I don’t know any of the details.”

Police say the investigation into John Bryson’s string of traffic accidents is ongoing.