A Costco worker accused of forcing a coworker’s motorcycle off the road in a fatal crash allegedly told investigators he “just wanted to spook him” after watching the victim hug a woman he was interested in.
Tyler Sorensen, 22, is accused of following 20-year-old Jonathan Langdon from the Costco store in Issaquah, Washington, on July 31, after he saw Langdon embrace another coworker, Samantha Peterson.
Surveillance video reportedly shows Sorensen’s gray sedan driving behind Langdon’s motorcycle before accelerating and allegedly striking the bike.
Langdon was thrown into a street sign and died almost immediately, while his motorcycle continued moving down the road.
After the crash, Sorensen allegedly left the scene and drove home, stopping only once to see whether his car had been damaged, according to court documents obtained by KOMO News.
A Washington State Patrol trooper later pulled him over and issued a speeding ticket, unaware that a deadly collision had taken place a few miles away, the documents say.
King County prosecutors allege Sorensen returned to the crash site about an hour later, but only after his father brought him back.
Sorensen allegedly admitted to police that he struck the motorcycle on purpose, telling officers his “blood was boiling” after seeing Langdon hug Peterson.
Surveillance footage from the DA’s office captured the moment 22-year-old Tyler Sorensen’s gray sedan trailed behind his coworker, Jonathan Langdon’s, motorcycle before he allegedly rammed into him
Langdon died from the collision, and Sorensen (pictured) was charged with second-degree murder
‘It was stupid but I… meant to do it,’ he said, according to prosecutors. He then said he didn’t mean to strike the victim, he just wanted to ‘spook him.’
Sorensen claimed that Peterson was his ex-girlfriend, which Peterson has denied.
Peterson told police the two were not romantically involved and that she had repeatedly told Sorensen he was ‘crossing boundaries’ as a friend.
The 22-year-old allegedly sent a chilling text message to friends shortly after the collision, saying, “I f****d up bad.’
Court documents described how the motorcyclist’s body was mangled after he was catapulted into the street sign, the New York Post reported.
‘Langdon’s body is seen violently impacting the metal signpost, causing his body to wrap around the post and recoil backwards, landing face down,’ per court records.
Prosecutors said Langdon was found face down and wearing a black helmet when first responders arrived at the scene.
The impact of the crash was so severe that it caused Langdon’s visor to separate from his helmet.
‘Langdon’s shirt was pulled up from his waist and there appeared to be an impact mark on his lower back.
Sorensen’s vehicle after the incident, he allegedly fled the scene and drove home, only stopping once to check that his car was intact
Costco Wholesale headquarters are seen in Issaquah, Washington. All three employees worked at this location
‘The impact mark appeared to match the metal sign post next to Langdon in width and the circular holes, which left visible matching marks on his skin,’ documents stated.
Sorensen was charged with second-degree murder and thrown behind bars in King County Jail.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday, and following the hearing, his bail was set at $2 million.
The Costco worker was ordered to remain in custody, and is scheduled to return to court on August 27 for a routine pre-trial conference.
