Commerce Secretary Linked to Hit-and-Run Crashes The Los Angeles Times first reported Monday that Mr. Bryson, who was appointed by President Obama a year ago, was found unconscious in his car after the accidents in Los Angeles County. Police officials said the first accident occurred when Mr. Bryson, who was driving a Lexus, allegedly rear-ended a Buick that had stopped for a passing train. Officials said that Mr. Bryson briefly spoke with the occupants of the Buick but then left the scene, hitting the car again. According to the police, the driver of the Buick followed Mr. Bryson and called police officers, asking for assistance. "Bryson then allegedly caused a collision involving a second car at about 5:10 p.m. while driving southbound on San Gabriel Boulevard at Hellman Avenue in the city of Rosemead, where he was found alone and unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle," the release from the police departments said. Officials said that no one was seriously injured, although several people were treated for pain. The accidents are being investigated as potential hit-and-run felonies, according to authorities. Neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to have played a role in the crash, they said. The Commerce Department released a brief statement on Monday morning. "Secretary Bryson was involved in a traffic accident over the weekend," Jennifer Friedman, a department spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. He was taken to the hospital for examination and has been released. He has sustained no injuries and the investigation is ongoing. Mr. Bryson, 68, was appointed commerce secretary in May 2011, replacing Gary Locke, who became the ambassador to China. Mr. Bryson had been an environmental activist, helping to found the National Resources Defense Council in 1970, and then spent almost 20 years at Southern California Edison, the electrical utility in the state. He retired as chairman of Edison International, the utility's parent company, in 2008. At the time of his nomination, Mr. Obama called Mr. Bryson "a fierce proponent of alternative energy" and said he would help promote clean energy as a way of reaching the country's export goals. "It's how we'll reduce our dependence on foreign oil," Mr. Obama said. And that's how we'll encourage new businesses and jobs to take root on our shores. John understands this better than virtually anybody.