A Costco employee is accused of fatally striking a coworker with his car in a suspected act of jealousy and rage.
Tyler Sorensen, 22, allegedly followed his 20-year-old coworker, Jonathon Langdon, out of a Costco parking lot in Issaquah, Washington, after witnessing Langdon hug another colleague, Samantha Peterson. Prosecutors stated that Sorensen was infatuated with Peterson.
Langdon was riding a motorcycle, while Sorensen was driving a gray sedan. Video evidence obtained by The California Post appears to show Sorensen ramming the back of Langdon's motorcycle, causing him to be thrown into a street sign and sustain fatal injuries.
Court documents describe the collision, noting that Langdon's body violently impacted the metal signpost, leading to his death. First responders found Langdon face down, wearing a helmet that was significantly damaged by the impact. An imprint on Langdon's lower back appeared to match the dimensions and circular holes of the metal signpost.
According to charging documents, Sorensen became enraged after seeing Langdon hug Peterson in the Costco Headquarters parking lot. The document states that Sorensen nearly struck Peterson and Langdon with his car in the parking lot before waiting approximately 10 minutes for Langdon to leave on his motorcycle. Sorensen then followed Langdon in his sedan.
Text messages presented in court documents show Sorensen expressing anger, stating, "Always told me he was just a friend. My blood is boiling," accompanied by a photo of Peterson and Langdon hugging.
After the collision, investigators allege Sorensen drove away without stopping to assist or call for emergency services. He reportedly pulled over only to check the damage to his own vehicle. He was later stopped and cited for speeding by a Washington State Patrol trooper who was unaware of the fatal incident that had occurred nearby.
Sorensen reportedly returned to the scene only after his father learned of the crash and brought him back to surrender to authorities. Following his arrest, Sorensen allegedly admitted to investigators, "It was stupid but I… meant to do it." He cited feeling "panicked" and "riled up" upon seeing Langdon hug Peterson.
Peterson informed investigators that she and Langdon were only friends and that she had previously communicated to Sorensen that he was "crossing boundaries" and that she "needed space."
Sorensen pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. A judge set his bail at $2 million, and he is currently being held in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 27 for a pre-trial conference.