A 21-year-old Bowral man died in a single car accident on Horderns Road at East Bowral on Thursday night when his car hit a tree at around 9pm.

His death followed news that former Wingecarribee Councillor Ray Jeffery had also perished in a crash at Evans Head at 5pm on Thursday.

Mr Jeffery served on Wingecarribee Council for 11 years, including the 1981 merged council.

He started working in the Royal Australian Navy, spending six years there before leaving to manage a number of hotels around Sydney.

Mr Jeffery then left for the Southern Highlands to run Flask bottle shop at Mittagong with his wife Barbara.

During his 16 years in the Shire, Mr Jeffery joined Jim Tuddenham, who passed away last month, and recent mayor Gordon Lewis on the first merged council of 1981.

Mr Jeffery moved up the coast in 1989 and was serving as a councillor on Richmond Valley Council when he died. He was aged 75.

Both deaths came on the eve of Operation Safe Arrival, with double demerit points for speeding and seatbelt offences in effect until January 4.

Traffic Services Commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, said the deaths were tragic.

“The fatalities take the state’s road toll to 384, compared to 424 for the same time last year, and while the toll is down, [more] families have lost loved ones,” he said.