Ex-Commerce Secretary John Bryson won't be charged in Los Ageles hit-and-run

U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson speaks during a luncheon at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington Dec. 13, 2011. / AFP/Getty Images

(AP) LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors declined Tuesday to file criminal charges against former U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson, saying he suffered a seizure that was responsible for a trio of traffic accidents.

Authorities have said Bryson's Lexus struck a car on June 9 that was stopped for a train near Los Angeles. He spoke briefly with the three occupants then hit the car again as he departed, police said. Bryson then rammed another vehicle a few minutes later. He was found unconscious in his vehicle.

Bryson, 68, was cited by police for felony hit-and run, but tests reveal he didn't have any alcohol or drugs in his system. Low amounts of Ambien were found in his bloodstream, but investigators couldn't determine if the sleep aid was a factor in the collisions.

"Both treating doctors agree that suspect was suffering from confusion following a seizure and crashed as a result," court documents say. "Based on doctors' opinions there is insufficient evidence to show knowing failure to provide personal information for hit-and-run."

John Bryson quits post as Commerce Secretary
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Phone messages left for San Gabriel police and Bryson's wife, Louise, were not immediately returned.

San Gabriel police presented evidence Monday to county prosecutors, who decided against filing charges.

Bryson resigned as commerce secretary on June 21, saying then he had suffered a seizure and didn't want his health to be a distraction from his job. He is the former head of Edison International, the holding company that owns Southern California Edison, and has served on boards of major corporations, including Boeing Co. and Walt Disney Co.

[smittyc]

That's California for ya.

[marychgo]

I wish Sec. Bryson well in dealing with his medical concerns.

And I wish the Obama-haters on this thread were smart enough to recognize that Sec. Bryson is widely believed to be a Republican and headed the largest electrical utility in Southern California for many years. The decision not to prosecute (a) was the right thing to do, based on Bryson's medical diagnosis, and (b) was more likely based on Bryson's high profile in Southern California rather than on any "strings" Eric Holder or Barack Obama might have pulled.

[smittyc]

Pretty funny. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system and he was passed out. Trace amounts of Ambien were found and he hit the same car twice. That is hilarious. I saw a cow jump over the moon last night. Yup not once but twice!!

[Killeen42]

Have you ever experienced a seizure? I have. The first time you have one, obviously, not only are you not expecting it, but you may not realize that you are experiencing a seizure. You would also not know what to expect once the seizure it over. Most people assume that just because the seizure has stopped, you are back to normal. This is not true, which is another reason why people don't necessarily realize immediately what has happened to them.

Shame on you for mocking this man's illness just because you have a different political affiliation than him.

[112844]

Yup, the filthy, ignorant, lying T-GOP are out in force. A Good Little Nazi never misses a chance to spread his vile filth.

[-TeaPartyNation--]

Ex-Commerce Secretary John Bryson won't be charged in Los Ageles hit-and-run...yep, NO lunatic-left d-cRAT socialist extremist is responsible for ANY crime they commit in the Peoples Republic of California.

[Killeen42]

Have you ever experienced a seizure? I have. The first time you have one, obviously, not only are you not expecting it, but you may not realize that you are experiencing a seizure. You would also not know what to expect once the seizure it over. Most people assume that just because the seizure has stopped, you are back to normal. This is not true, which is another reason why people don't necessarily realize immediately what has happened to them.

Guess what - Republicans get sick, too, and if this had happened to someone in GW Bush's cabinet, I would feel sorry for them, as is the correct, civilized and normal thing to do.