Full Breakdown
Costco Employee Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Fatal Motorcycle Crash
8/12/2026, 1:21:29 AM
Incident Overview
On July 31, 22-year-old Tyler Sorensen, a Costco Warehouse employee from Renton, Washington, allegedly followed his coworker, 20-year-old Jonathon Langdon, out of the Issaquah Costco parking lot and intentionally struck Langdon’s motorcycle with his sedan. Surveillance video shows Sorensen swerving into Langdon’s lane, hitting the bike at roughly 40 mph, and sending Langdon airborne into a metal signpost. Langdon died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by Issaquah police and Eastside Fire & Rescue. After the collision, Sorensen fled, later stopped for a speeding ticket, and returned to the crash site about an hour later after his father brought him back. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Legal Proceedings & Bail
A King County judge set Sorensen’s bail at $2 million and barred him from contacting Langdon’s family, the female coworker, or any witnesses. He is being held in the King County Jail. Sorensen entered a not-guilty plea at an arraignment later this month. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for August 27.
Motive and Statements
Investigators say Sorensen’s motive stemmed from jealousy after seeing Langdon hug a female coworker, Samantha Peterson, in the Costco parking lot. Sorensen texted friends that his “blood is boiling” and later told police he intended only to “spook” Langdon, not to kill him. The female coworker denied any romantic relationship with Sorensen and said she had repeatedly asked him to give her space.
- “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim as they process this tragic loss of life,” — Issaquah Police Chief Steve
- “It is clear by the defendant’s actions in this case that he believed if he could not have [female co-worker], no one could,” — Elaine Lee, the senior deputy prosecuting attorney in the case summary
- “Think about what you're doing before you do it,” — Steve Mylett, issaquah police chief
Evidence Summary
- Surveillance footage captured Sorensen’s sedan trailing Langdon’s motorcycle, then moving right to strike it.
- Phone records revealed messages reading “my blood is boiling” and “I f***ed up bad” sent shortly after the crash.
- Police report notes Langdon was wearing a helmet; the impact caused his body to wrap around the signpost and his visor to separate.
- Speeding citation issued to Sorensen by a Washington State Patrol trooper after he drove home.
Official Responses
Issaquah Police Chief Steve Mylett expressed sympathy for the victim’s family and emphasized the seriousness of the act, noting that Sorensen continued driving after the collision without stopping to help.
Community Reaction
A makeshift memorial of flowers now marks the crash site on Lake Drive. Costco has not provided an official comment on the incident.
What’s Next
Sorensen remains in custody pending his August 27 court appearance. The case proceeds under Washington’s second-degree murder statute (RCW 9A.32.050), which carries a class A felony penalty. No further hearings or sentencing dates have been announced.
