WASHINGTON (Reuters] -Don Young, a U.S. Republican Representative, was killed in a car accident on Friday. Young served as Congressional representative since 1973.

Young’s staff reported Friday that Young, an 88-year old congressman, died while returning to Alaska.

“Don Young will be remembered as an outstanding fighter for the state, and his inherent goodness as well as honor.” The statement stated that we will be deeply missing him.

However, his office didn’t provide any details about the reason for death. Anchorage Daily News reports that Young lost consciousness while flying from Los Angeles to Seattle. He could not be revived. Jack Ferguson was Young’s chief of staff, the newspaper reported.

Young was Alaska’s sole House representative. According to his website, he was the oldest serving member of U.S. Congress.

On Twitter, Dean Phillips (a U.S. Representative from Minnesota) said that “His fiercely independent voice in Alaska and one-of-a-kind wit and character would be missed.”