The longtime Washington Post reporter and columnist Warren Brown died Thursday morning at the age of 70 after years of struggling with kidney disease.

During his 30 years at the paper, he was best-known for his column on cars and the auto industry. But in addition to covering the latest models, Brown was also fascinated by how mobility was connected to race and class. WNYC producer Alec Hamilton's mother — Martha Hamilton — was a friend and a colleague of Brown. They worked together for years at the newspaper, and when his first kidney transplant failed, she gave Brown one of hers in 2001. They later co-wrote a book about the experience and their friendship.

Alec spoke to her mom about Brown's passing.