Two Mathews men died in separate traffic accidents that occurred recently in the county.

On Saturday, a motorcycle operator died in an accident that occurred on Route 198 about one-half mile east of Windsor Road (Route 3) around 12:30 p.m. 

David Michael Burruss, 24, of Dutton was operating a 2008 Suzuki motorcycle westbound on Route 198 when he lost control and entered oncoming traffic, according to Virginia State Police First Sgt. Greg Mathias. 

Mathias said Burruss was struck by an eastbound Toyota RAV 4 operated by a 54-year-old Gloucester resident. Mathias said Burruss, who was wearing a safety helmet, died at the scene and the SUV driver was not injured. He said neither alcohol nor excessive speed was a factor in the accident. 

Mathias said a section of Route 198 was closed to traffic for about two and a half hours while the accident was investigated. Personnel with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Mathews Fire and Rescue and the Mathews Sheriff’s Office helped to set up detours and direct traffic during the investigation.

Virginia State Trooper J.E. Gough was the primary investigating officer, Mathias said.

In another fatal accident, last Thursday, June 16, a 2004 Dodge Caravan was traveling east on East River Road and a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer was westbound on East River Road when the two vehicles collided head on. The accident occurred at 8:39 a.m. at the intersection with Providence Road.

State police spokesman Corinne Geller said the Mitsubishi driver, Dennis W. Vandivender, 58, of Foster, died at the scene. The driver of the Dodge, Andrew R. Heisler, 30, of Gloucester, sustained serious injuries and was flown from the scene to Riverside Regional Medical Center. 

Virginia State Police Master Trooper J.K. Morris is investigating the crash with the assistance of the VSP Chesapeake Division Crash Reconstruction Team. 

These were the first and second traffic fatalities in Mathews in 2016.