BELLINGHAM — A Bellingham bicyclist died Wednesday afternoon of his injuries after a car struck him as he rode on Barkley Boulevard Wednesday morning.

Terry R. Mathews, a 50- year-old Bellingham postal worker and former bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was riding westbound on Barkley Boulevard on his way to work at about 7:30 a.m. A 17- year-old Squalicum High School student on her way to school pulled her car out from Sussex Drive to turn left on Barkley, said Bellingham Police Lt. Steve Felmley. Mathews collided with the driver’s side door of the student’s Chevrolet Blazer.

Mathews’ helmet was fractured by the impact. He died after being transported to St. Joseph Hospital, Felmley said.

Mathews was traveling with traffic when the collision occurred.

The driver may have been blinded by early morning sunlight when the crash occurred, Felmley said.

Police were still investigating the crash Wednesday and had not determined if charges would be filed against the driver.

Bill Schwartz, acting Bellingham postmaster, said Mathews was a mail carrier and 19-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service who worked out of the Mount Baker station.

“He was very well-liked by his co-workers,” Schwartz said. “Everyone said this was a great guy. … He’ll be sorely missed by his postal family.”

Bellingham resident Bonnie Haas said she knew Mathews through the church, where he had previously served as bishop in both the First and Third Wards.

“He was just a very kind, gentle man,” Haas said. “He was very smart. He loved to be in the outdoors. … He did so many things for so many people.”