SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (AP) - A succession of small fender benders over the weekend raises questions about whether U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson has a medical or legal problem - or both.
The bizarre series of events happened Saturday afternoon when Bryson hit a car stopped for a train - twice - then rammed into another vehicle a few minutes later. He was found unconscious in his car, and government officials said Monday he had a seizure, which could play a role in whether he's charged with felony hit-and-run.
It wasn't clear whether the medical episode preceded or followed the collisions, but Bryson hasn't suffered a seizure before, said a department official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the secretary's medical history.
Bryson has a "limited recall of the events," the official said.
The crashes drew attention because of health concerns involving a member of the U.S. Cabinet, as well as the challenge investigators face when trying to determine if someone should be held criminally responsible because of adverse health.
Bryson, 68, was driving alone in a Lexus in San Gabriel, a community of about 40,000 northeast of Los Angeles, when he struck the rear of a vehicle that had stopped for a passing train, authorities said.
He spoke briefly with the three occupants and then hit their car again as he departed, investigators said. They followed him while calling police.
He was cited for felony hit-and-run, although he has not been charged.
Bryson then struck a second car in the nearby city of Rosemead, where he was found unconscious in his car, authorities said.
Bryson has returned to Washington after a brief hospital stay, department spokeswoman Jennifer Friedman said.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said the administration was "obviously concerned about the incident, about the health-related issues that played a role in this incident."
Officials said Bryson was not on state business, was driving a personal car and did not have a security detail at the time.
He took a Breathalyzer test that didn't detect any alcohol, but investigators were awaiting the results from a blood test, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker.
Commerce officials said he was given medication to treat the seizure. Paramedics treated two people in the first collision for pain, but a couple involved in the second crash declined medical aid.
As secretary, Bryson is a member of the president's economic team and has advised on energy issues.