What started as a hug between two coworkers allegedly ended with a young motorcyclist dead — and another coworker facing a murder charge.
A 20-year-old Washington motorcyclist was killed after prosecutors say a coworker deliberately rammed his motorcycle with a car in what investigators describe as an act of jealousy and rage.
The incident happened July 31 outside a Costco facility in Issaquah, Washington.
According to court documents, 22-year-old Tyler Sorensen became angry after seeing his coworker, 20-year-old Jonathon Langdon, hug a female coworker Sorensen was reportedly interested in.
Investigators say Sorensen followed Langdon out of the Costco parking lot after the encounter.
Surveillance video allegedly captured what happened next.
Authorities say Sorensen drove his sedan into the motorcycle, sending Langdon off the bike and into a metal signpost. Langdon suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene despite efforts to save him. He was reportedly wearing a helmet at the time.
What makes the case even more disturbing is what investigators say happened before and after the collision.
Prosecutors allege Sorensen had already come close to striking Langdon and the female coworker in the Costco parking lot. He then reportedly waited about 10 minutes for Langdon to leave before following him.
After the collision, investigators say Sorensen did not stop to help. Instead, he allegedly drove away and stopped only to inspect the damage to his own vehicle.
According to court documents, Sorensen later told detectives that he intentionally hit Langdon’s motorcycle, although he claimed he only wanted to scare him.
Investigators also say Sorensen sent messages to friends after seeing Langdon and the woman together, including one saying, “My blood is boiling.”
Another message allegedly followed the crash: “I f—ed up bad.”
The female coworker told investigators that she and Sorensen had never been in a relationship and that she had repeatedly told him he was crossing boundaries and needed to give her space.
Sorensen eventually returned to the scene with his father and surrendered to police.
He has been charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty at his August 6 arraignment.
A judge set bail at $2 million and ordered Sorensen to have no contact with Langdon’s family, the female coworker or witnesses.
He is scheduled to return to court August 27.
For the motorcycle community, this case is a brutal reminder that sometimes the danger isn’t coming from the road, the weather or another distracted driver.
Sometimes, the person behind the wheel may be intentionally targeting you.
And when a vehicle is deliberately used as a weapon against a motorcycle, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Jonathon Langdon was only 20 years old. His life ended on a motorcycle — allegedly because another man couldn’t control his jealousy.
All allegations are based on police reports and court documents. Sorensen has pleaded not guilty, and the charges remain allegations unless proven in court.