Commerce Secretary Takes Medical Leave After Hit-and-Run Crash

Commerce Secretary John E. Bryson informed the White House that he would be taking a medical leave of absence to undergo tests and evaluation and that Deputy Secretary Rebecca M. Blank would assume his duties.

“The president’s thoughts are with Secretary Bryson and his family during this time,” said Jay Carney, the White House spokesman. “Secretary Bryson assured the White House that the Commerce Department staff will not miss a beat in their work helping America’s businesses compete.” The White House said Sec Bryson had suffered a seizure. But officials there and at the Commerce Department declined to offer details on Bryson’s medical history, including what might have caused the seizure, and took pains to say they were not saying the seizure caused the episode. They said that this was the first such seizure he had suffered. “The commerce secretary was alone,” Carney said. “He had a seizure. He was involved in an accident.” White House officials said Sec Bryson had told them that he did not recall the events leading to the episode. Sec Bryson passed a breathalyzer test at the scene and submitted to a blood toxicology test, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. He said that if the report came back negative, Mr. Bryson would not be charged.