U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson is under investigation for his involvement in two traffic collisions in Southern California on Saturday.
Bryson is the suspect in a hit and run collision that occurred in the City of San Gabriel around 5:05 p.m. Saturday evening, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Bryson rear-ended a stopped car, spoke to the car’s passengers, then left the scene, hitting the car a second time as he left, the sheriff’s department alleges. Bryson then drove to the neighboring city of Rosemead, where he was involved in a second collision five minutes later, according the the statement. Bryson was found unconscious behind the wheel.
Bryson was treated at the scene and transported to a hospital for non life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is in its preliminary stages and there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, the sheriff’s department says. The San Gabriel accident is under investigation as a hit and run felony.
John Bryson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October, succeeding Gary Locke, now the U.S. ambassador to China. Bryson is the former CEO of Edison International, the parent company to Southern California Edison and Edison Mission Group.
A spokesperson for the Commerce Department was not immediately available for comment.
Update 7:27 AM: Commerce Department public affairs director Jennifer Friedman emails TPM the following statement: “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.”
