A 42-year-old man died in a head-on collision on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road last night.
He had been travelling alone in a silver Mercedes which hit a blue Peugeot 307 on a sharp bend near Lonmay.
The 51-year-old driver of the Peugeot was also seriously injured and was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
His condition was not known last night.
The smash happened between Crimond and Cortes, south-east of Lonmay, in wet conditions shortly after 6pm.
Firefighters had to cut the Mercedes driver from the wreckage of his vehicle.
Police closed the road while paramedics and doctors fought in vain to save his life.
Two crews from Fraserburgh fire station helped to make the area safe.
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the 42-year-old male driver of the Mercedes SLK involved in the collision has died as a result of his injuries.
“Next of kin are aware and are being supported by officers from Police Scotland at this time.
“The 51-year-old male driver of the Peugeot 307 motor car is not believed to have life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
“The road has been closed at this location and local diversions are in place.
“At this time there is no indication how long this may be for.”
Last night’s fatal accident happened close to where a 40-tonne lorry smashed through the front of a family home in June this year.
The HGV, which was carrying 26 tonnes of concrete slabs, went out of control on the bend at Cortes Village, Lonmay, and came to rest inches from the householder, who was sitting in her front room watching TV.
Elsewhere in Aberdeenshire last night, another smash resulted in three people being taken to ARI.
Two men and a woman suffered whiplash injuries when their orange Ford Focus ended up in a ditch on the A952 Ellon to Mintlaw road, at Ardallie, south of Mintlaw, shortly after 6.30pm.
An ambulance spokeswoman said: “Two people aged 65, and one aged 35, were transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as a precautionary measure after suffering seatbelt injuries.”
Meanwhile, another road was closed after a car crashed into an electricity pole, bringing it down.
The accident happened on the B999 Tarves to Pitmedden road, just south of A920 junction, at 6.25pm, and involved a black Vauxhall Corsa.
There were no injuries, but police said the road was closed to prevent serious risk to the public because of live wires on the ground.