Washington ( CNN ) -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson stepped down Thursday , telling President Barack Obama in a letter of resignation that a recent seizure could be a distraction from doing his job . `` I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9th could be a distraction from my performance as secretary and that our country would be better served by a change of leadership of the department , '' Bryson 's letter said . Bryson , 68 , had been on a medical leave of absence since his involvement in two auto accidents in California that his office indicated were linked to the seizure . The White House said Obama will meet with Bryson in the Oval Office later Thursday to thank him for his service as commerce secretary . A statement by Obama praised Bryson 's efforts to boost U.S. exports as commerce secretary and said Bryson has agreed to serve as a member of the president 's Export Council . Bryson 's deputy , Rebecca Blank , will continue to serve as acting secretary , Obama 's statement said . Police said Bryson was found unconscious at the wheel of his car after the two accidents this month . Commerce secretary takes medical leave following weekend accidents . Bryson was issued a citation at an area hospital where he received treatment , said Lt. Ariel Duran of the San Gabriel Police Department . Authorities must still decide whether to formally file charges . Bryson voluntarily took a breathalyzer test that detected no alcohol use , the Los Angeles Sheriff 's Department confirmed . According to a Commerce official , Bryson was on personal time with no security detail when the accidents occurred and was driving his own vehicle . The official , who spoke to CNN on condition of not being identified , said Bryson was given medication to treat the seizure . Bryson , who was driving a Lexus , rear-ended a Buick occupied by three men that was stopped at a railroad crossing in San Gabriel , said a police statement . `` Bryson spoke with the males , then left the scene , hitting the same car again as he left , '' the statement said . The men in the Buick followed Bryson while calling 911 to report the accident , it said . Bryson drove to the neighboring city of Rosemead , where he hit a second car , according to authorities . Police then found him unconscious in his vehicle . Two of the three men in the Buick were treated for minor injuries , according to police . Obama nominated Bryson to succeed Gary Locke as commerce secretary in May 2011 . Bryson 's Senate confirmation was delayed by Republican opposition . It came in October , and he became the 37th secretary of commerce . A graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School , Bryson served as chairman of the California utility company Edison International from 1990 until 2008 . Before that , he was a co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council , a leading environmental group that strongly endorsed Bryson 's nomination last year . Seizures : When 'electrical brainstorm ' hits . CNN 's Kelly Marshall Smoot and Tom Cohen contributed to this report .
Obama says the this month seizure would be a distraction from doing his job . President Bryson thanks Bryson for his service . Bryson was found unconscious in his car June 9 after 911 auto accidents . His office indicated the accidents were linked to the seizure .