Former state Sen. Ed Gomes is in critical condition after a serious two-car crash in Bridgeport Sunday evening.

"I was awakened last night, actually, by a text message that had been sent out saying he'd been in a serious car accident and that he was going into surgery at that time," says state Rep. Charlie Stallworth.

Police say the crash happened just before 7 p.m. near the intersection of Noble Avenue. Gomes was heading east on Boston Avenue when he tried to turn left into the KFC parking lot and collided with another car that was westbound.   

The 19-year-old driver, Clive Henry, went to the hospital where he was treated and released.

A KFC employee told News 12 she came out after the crash and saw Gomes unconscious in the car. She says one bystander broke the car window and another gave her a sweater, which she used to put pressure on Gomes' head injury.

"We know he has a fighting spirit. This is not the first time he's battled up against something, and I trust that battling spirit," says state Sen. Dennis Bradley.

Bradley succeeded Gomes when he retired from the legislature in 2019.

Gomes did two stints representing the 23rd District, first serving from 2005 through 2012.

He won the seat back in a special election in 2015.

"Sen. Gomes is like a grandfather or father to all of us. You may not always agree with him, but he always has passion for his positions, for his beliefs," says Stallworth.

Stallworth also serves Bridgeport and says Gomes always stood for the people. He spent several years on City Council, and had a long career as a labor union leader.

"You have never heard an ill word spoken about Sen. Gomes. He's a person who had the highest standard in ethics," says Bradley.

"Ed indeed is a legend, a living legend in our own time," says Stallworth.

Bridgeport police are investigating. They tell News 12 they do have footage of the crash from nearby security cameras.