President Obama told Commerce Secretary John Bryson today to "focus his thoughts on his own health, on his own family"during his medical leave, a White House official said.

Spokesman John Earnest said Obama spoke to Bryson briefly by phone today, the first time the two have spoken since Bryson collided with cars in two separate incidents Saturday.

The Commerce Department said Bryson suffered a seizure, and Monday night the secretary announced he was taking a medical leave.

There is no timetable for Bryson's return, Earnest said.

In a memorandum to top aide Rebecca Blank -- who is now running the Commerce Department -- Bryson said, "I notified President Obama this evening that effective immediately I am taking a medical leave of absence so that I can focus all of my attention on resolving the health issues that arose over the weekend.

"During the period of my illness, I will not perform the functions and duties of my office," Bryson said.

White House officials and California police are reviewing the Saturday incident in which Bryson suffered a seizure while driving, collided with two cars within five minutes, and was cited by police for hit-and-run.

White House officials said Bryson notified Obama of his decision last night, and told him he will undergo tests and evaluations.

"The president's thoughts are with Secretary Bryson and his family during this time," said White House press secretary Jay Carney. "Secretary Bryson assured the White House that the Commerce Department staff will not miss a beat in their work helping America's businesses compete."

As we reported yesterday, the San Gabriel Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said officers cited Bryson for hit-and-run after causing two car accidents within minutes of one another in Southern California on Saturday.

Bryson, 68, nominated by Obama last year, was treated at a hospital for non-life- threatening injuries after the crashes, police said.

Obama told an Iowa television station Monday that his team is still trying to learn all the facts of the accidents involving Bryson. "It sounds like it was health related in some way, but we are going to make sure that obviously he gets the best care and we will be able to make a determination from there," Obama said.

The incident began Saturday at 5:05 p.m. on South San Gabriel Boulevard, said a joint statement from the San Gabriel Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that described the incident as a "hit and run" collision.

"Secretary Bryson was allegedly traveling southbound in a Lexus on San Gabriel Boulevard and rear-ended a Buick occupied by three males that was stopped on the street awaiting a passing train," said the police statement.

It added that "Bryson spoke with the males, then left the scene, hitting the same car again as he left the scene. The three males followed him in their car while calling San Gabriel Police officers via 911 and asking for assistance."

Bryson then drove to the neighboring city of Rosemead, where he allegedly caused a collision involving a second car at about 5:10 p.m., police said.

Officers found Bryson "alone and unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle," the statement said. "He was treated at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire paramedics and transported to a local hospital for medical aid where he was admitted for treatment for non life-threatening injuries."

The police also reported: