One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson Will Not Face Criminal Charges for Recent Traffic Accidents
Los Angeles County prosecutors revealed today they would not be filing criminal charges against former United States Commerce Secretary John Bryson, who was involved in a set of minor traffic accidents in the San Gabriel Valley in June.
The June 9 incidents were immediately attributed to Bryson suffering a seizure and its after effects. Bryson initially rear-ended a vehicle in San Gabriel, spoke with the three men in the vehicle he struck, and left the scene, hitting the same car again. He drove into the neighboring city of Rosemead, where he struck another vehicle. The last crash left Bryson unconscious behind the wheel of his Lexus.
Though an investigation was launched into the string of small crashes, ultimately, prosecutors today say there just isn't enough to prove criminal behavior. Here's the official report from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office:
Suspect collided with a car, backed into it again, drove off and was ultimately involved in a collision with a second car. The suspect was found unconscious behind the wheel and transported to the hospital. He appeared disoriented at the scene and the hospital. At the hospital he was treated by the admitting doctor and a neurologist. Blood tested negative for alcohol and controlled substances but positive for Ambien. Quantitative analysis for Ambien showed low end of therapeutic levels. Criminalist can not say it was a factor in driving or the collisions. Both treating doctors agree that suspect was suffering from confusion following a seizure and crashed as a result. Based on doctors' opinions there is insufficient evidence to show knowing failure to provide personal information for hit and run. Further, based on blood test and medical condition there is insufficient evidence to prove driving under the influence.
Bryson has a home in L.A. County in San Marino. President Obama announced Bryson's resignation on June 21; Bryson had been on medical leave following the June 9 accidents.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
