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Officials: Commerce sec'y suffered a seizure during crash

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    John Bryson cited for felony hit and run in California

  • Duration 3:32
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Six cabinet official could be facing felony hit and run charges.

After police say he crashed his Lexus three times in a matter of minutes.

It happened in San Gabriel north and east of Los Angeles where police say the commerce secretary John Bryson first smashed into a Buick at a railroad crossing.

The people he -- -- started talking with them about the crash but cops say he then drove away hitting that Buick again.

Before ramming into another car.

He was later found unconscious behind the driver's seat and the lone occupant in the in his vehicle was admitted to -- over observation a spokeswoman for the Commerce Department says secretary Bryson had a seizure.

But we do not know whether that seizure happened before the -- -- or perhaps because of the crashes.

And the White House doesn't seem to have many answers either.

Obviously -- concerned about the incident concerned about sector Verizon's.

Health related issues that did played a role in this incident and we're still gathering information about it and police say they've already -- secretary Bryson for felony hit and run.

But prosecutors are still working to decide whether to bring formal charges.

Is fox up story Trace Gallagher is on -- West Coast news of this afternoon.

What -- to use to help make them that determination.

Well -- the Los Angeles county district attorney's -- just notified us they haven't yet gotten this case so they're still not commenting now we know that commerce secretary Bryson voluntarily.

Took a breathalyzer test and he passed that it came back negative for alcohol he also submitted a blood test but the results on that are not yet back yet.

In California one of the defense is for felony hit and run.

Is not being aware that you were involved in a felony hit and run now the Commerce Department says the Bryson has limited recall.

All of the -- -- the question is is that a valid defense.

It's was.

If the seizure happened obviously before the first accident then he might have a complete defense potentially to to anything.

If on the other hand the seizure happened as a result of the accident particularly if it happened as result of the second accident.

Then that's not going to really be a defense.

But because the injuries were not severe most experts agreed this would likely a worst case scenario be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Hit and run by relationships Trace what do we know about secretary -- -- medical history.

Well the LA county sheriff's department says that he does have a preexisting.

Medical condition but they would not say what that condition was now the Commerce Department says that he has never.

Had a seizure before the police officer on scene described it like this and I'm quoting.

He was just really confused he said something to the effect of I guess we better pull over and exchange information of course he didn't pull over he took off and -- And doctors say those symptoms are consistent.

With the seizure -- It does have to do with the neurons in the brain and an an in one area of the brain they are over fire and that you can.

Think of it is that that -- Brain is somewhat exhausted until after the seizure activity.

A person feels very -- here a little disoriented just not quite themselves for a few hours.

-- and by the way lives in DC has a home here in California and he was out here speaking at a commencement address for a high school that his daughters once attended.

-- -- gallery in Los Angeles this afternoon -- thanks based.

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