ARLINGTON — A Bothell man died Saturday after being hit by a pickup in I-5 southbound lanes near Smokey Point.

Gerald Olmstead was riding in a Dodge Ram driven by his 29-year-old son, who pulled the truck onto the highway’s shoulder. The 51-year-old Olmstead got out to secure the load in the truck’s bed, while his son stayed in the cab, according to Washington State Patrol.

At 10:38 a.m., traffic suddenly and dramatically slowed down in the nearest lane, prompting a 23-year-old Arlington man to swerve into the shoulder to avoid hitting the cars in front of him, according to State Patrol.

But his Toyota Tundra hit the Dodge Ram and Olmstead, who was still standing outside the pickup.

He died at the scene. His son and the driver of the Toyota were not injured, according to Trooper Mark Francis.

State Patrol is still investigating the accident.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com