BRIDGEPORT (AP) — Edwin Gomes, a former Connecticut state senator has died from injuries he suffered in a two-car accident in Bridgeport earlier this month. He was 84.

Fellow Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont and multiple members of his administration were informed of Gomes' death on Tuesday, said Max Reiss, Lamont's communications director.

“Senator Ed Gomes was a fighter – for Bridgeport, for workers and for the state of Connecticut,” Lamont said in a written statement. The governor noted that Gomes “was the first one to stand by my side” when he entered politics in 2006 and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate.

“More than just Bridgeport, Connecticut lost a giant today who advocated for so many,” Lamont said.

Known for being an outspoken advocate for working families, the retired steel worker had served two stints representing the 23rd District. He first served from 2005 to 2013, before losing a Democratic primary. He regained the seat in a special election in 2015 and retired last year. Gomes also served on the City Council in the 1980s.

Gomes suffered head injuries in the Dec. 13 crash, his brother, William Aranjo, told the Connecticut Post. Bridgeport police said the former senator was turning into a KFC restaurant when he collided with an oncoming car. The 19-year-old driver in the other car was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said. There were no other people in the cars.