Prosecutors say Tyler Sorenson intentionally struck co-worker Jonathon Langdon’s motorcycle after following him from their Issaquah workplace.
ISSAQUAH, WA — A 22-year-old Renton man has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder after prosecutors alleged he intentionally drove into a co-worker’s motorcycle in Issaquah, causing a crash that killed the 20-year-old rider.
Tyler Sorenson is accused in the July 31 death of Jonathon Langdon, according to court documents cited by local news organizations. A King County judge set Sorenson’s bail at $2 million during a Thursday hearing. Prosecutors allege the collision followed an angry encounter involving Sorenson, Langdon and another co-worker near their workplace. Sorenson remains accused, and the murder charge has not been proven in court.
Issaquah police said officers were dispatched at 8:49 p.m. July 31 to 845 Lake Drive for what was initially reported as a single-motorcycle injury crash. Officers arrived about three minutes later and began providing aid. Eastside Fire & Rescue and Bellevue Fire Medic One personnel also responded, but Langdon died at the scene, according to the city.
The investigation changed after officers obtained security video showing another vehicle was involved, police said. The video showed a sedan striking the motorcycle from the side and forcing the rider off the roadway. Court documents cited by KOMO News say surveillance footage showed Sorenson changing lanes before his car struck the side of Langdon’s motorcycle. Langdon was thrown from the motorcycle and struck a roadside signpost.
Police said the sedan driver left the scene after the collision. Investigators identified Sorenson as the driver and said he returned about an hour later with a family member before speaking with detectives. Prosecutors allege Sorenson drove home after the crash and stopped along the way to inspect his vehicle. Court records cited by KOMO also say a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped Sorenson for speeding after the collision, before the trooper was aware of the fatal crash investigation.
Detectives determined that Sorenson and Langdon were co-workers. Investigators said evidence indicated Sorenson had watched and followed Langdon before the collision. Court documents say Sorenson became angry after seeing Langdon hug another co-worker in a parking lot. Prosecutors allege Sorenson nearly struck Langdon and the woman with his vehicle there before later following Langdon as he left on his motorcycle.
According to court documents, Sorenson described the woman to investigators as a former girlfriend. The woman disputed that account, telling detectives they had not been in a dating relationship and that she had previously told Sorenson he was crossing boundaries as a friend. Those statements form part of the prosecution’s account of what allegedly led to the confrontation and crash.
Investigators said Sorenson acknowledged during an interview that he struck Langdon’s motorcycle while angry. Court documents cited by KOMO say he admitted the act was intentional but also told investigators he had wanted to frighten Langdon rather than actually hit him. Prosecutors allege Sorenson drove toward the motorcycle at about 40 mph before the collision. The allegations about Sorenson’s intent will be among the issues prosecutors would have to establish in the criminal case.
Issaquah police arrested Sorenson and booked him into the King County Jail. Police later recommended a second-degree murder charge to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. At his arraignment, Sorenson pleaded not guilty. The judge also ordered him to have no contact with Langdon’s family, the female co-worker or witnesses connected to the crash, according to KOMO.
Flowers have been placed near the Lake Drive crash site. Issaquah Police Chief Steve Mylett said the department’s “hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim as they process this tragic loss of life.” Sorenson remains in custody while the second-degree murder case proceeds through King County Superior Court.
Author note: Last updated August 9, 2026.