So far this year more than one person has died every day on NSW roads.

The official count now stands at more than 50.

That’s almost double the 2009 figure for the same period.

In the police northern region, which extends from extends from the NSW central coast to the Queensland border, there have already been 13 fatalities this year.

Last year there were eight in the same period.

A 20-year-old Wauchope man, Michael Curtis, was tragically killed on Friday morning when his Subaru Liberty collided with a ute at Burrawan Forest Dr, Lake Innes.

Police said the accident occurred at 6.50am.

“Initial inquiries suggest the Subaru had overtaken another vehicle before losing control, leaving the roadway and ultimately colliding with a Nissan Navara,” police said in a statement.

“The utility driver tried to take evasive action but was unable to avoid the collision.”

Mr Curtis died at the scene.

The 48-year-old ute driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Police, paramedics and firefighters attended the scene.

The accident was the third fatal smash on the Mid-North Coast since the start of the year

On January 20, a 26-year-old driver was killed near Smithtown, around 40km north of Port Macquarie

On Australia Day, a 55-year-old passenger was killed when his car left the Pacific Highway near Herons Creek and struck a tree.

The driver had swerved to avoid a kangaroo.