CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) – Governor Corzine, Democrat of New Jersey, remained in critical condition Sunday after doctors performed what was described as a “routine procedure” to remove fluid that had collected outside his left lung.

Mr. Corzine’s three children and his girlfriend, Sharon Elghanayan, also visited with the governor Sunday and are “pleased” with his progress, said Anthony Coley, a spokesman for the governor, who said Corzine is also beginning to respond to people.

“They remain pleased with his progress. They are upbeat,” Mr. Coley said, adding that although the governor remains sedated, he has been able to communicate to some degree. “There is some communication.”

According to Mr. Coley, the procedure, which is common for patients who sustain a number of rib fractures, lasted less than 15 minutes, and doctors said it was “successful.”

The governor was critically injured Thursday when his SUV crashed on the Garden State Parkway, after his vehicle was hit by another vehicle that swerved to avoid a pickup truck, sending the governor’s SUV into a guard rail.

The 60-year-old governor, who was apparently not wearing his seat belt while riding in the front passenger’s seat, was taken by helicopter to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. He broke his leg, 12 ribs, his breastbone, his collarbone, and suffered a head laceration and a minor fracture on a lower vertebra.

Mr. Corzine had been on his way to a meeting at his mansion in Princeton between radio show host Don Imus and the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

The governor has already undergone two surgeries on his badly broken leg and is expected to undergo a third on Monday.

The driver of a red pickup truck that was blamed for the wreck was not charged for leaving the scene of the crash because the man said he was trying to make room for the governor’s motorcade.

However, authorities said the investigation was not complete and other charges were possible. Investigators still want to interview Mr. Corzine, who remained on a ventilator, unable to speak.