The U.S. Commerce Department says agency head John Bryson suffered a seizure in connection with two separate hit-and-run car crashes in southern California.
A department spokeswoman said Bryson was taken to the hospital and remained overnight for observation, and has been released.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department say he faces felony hit-and-run charges. The officials say Bryson was driving a car that struck at least two vehicles, one of them twice, late Saturday.
The statement says Bryson was later found alone and unconscious in his car, and was treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital. Only minor injuries were reported by the occupants of the other vehicles.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.