A man has been arrested and charged after the death of a popular postie on his last day of work before retirement.

David Bullock, 78, was struck by a car on a rural road near Leeston, Canterbury on July 4 and died from his injuries.

Today, a man was summoned to appear at Christchurch District Court, charged with driving in a manner which was dangerous to the public and caused the death of Bullock.

He was granted a registrar’s remand along with interim name suppression and was remanded to reappear on December 23.

Bullock was a popular local postie finishing his last delivery on his last day of work before retirement when he was killed.

Police were called to the intersection of Leeston and Lakes Rd and Harts Rd after a report of a vehicle colliding with two pedestrians.

Bullock was found deceased at the scene.

News of Bullock’s death spread through the community quickly.

He was a well-known and liked NZ Post delivery driver, having worked for the company for almost 30 years.

Bullock was also the president of the Canterbury Indoor Bowls Association, and New Zealand Indoor Bowls posted at the time about the tragedy.

“It is with sadness that NZIB acknowledges the sudden passing of David Bullock QSM.

“David was awarded a QSM for his contribution to the sport of indoor bowls and was a well-known figure in the indoor bowling world.”

Dave Bullock with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. Photo / Facebook

NZ Post driver Dave Bullock died after he was hit by a car on Friday evening in Leeston. Photo / NZ Herald

Leeston locals and bowls players from across the country were shocked to hear about Bullock’s death.

“A true legend, leaving behind a trail of kindness and generosity,” said one Leeston local at the time.

Bullock is survived by three children – two daughters and a son – and his two sisters.

Al Williams is an Open Justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald, based in Christchurch. He has worked in daily and community titles in New Zealand and overseas for the last 16 years. Most recently he was editor of the Hauraki-Coromandel Post, based in Whangamatā. He was previously deputy editor of the Cook Islands News.