A 23-year-old mother posted ‘I’m gunna die’ in a tragic final Snapchat moments before a 100mph crash that killed her and seriously injured other passengers.
Leon Roberts, 25, drove into a parked taxi before fleeing the scene and leaving his friends to fight for their lives as the car went up in flames.
On Friday Roberts was jailed for nine years and six months and disqualified from driving for 14 years and three months for his ‘selfish actions’.
Driving at speeds of almost 100mph, his passengers shared videos on social media that read ‘I’m gunna die’ in the moments before the collision.
Roberts appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 26 July where he was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison and was also disqualified from driving for 14 years and three months
Sharna Burgin, 23, was killed in a horror car crash in Sheffield
The mother-of-one leaves behind her three-year-old daughter
Detectives said that Roberts had been socialising on the evening of Saturday 25 February 2023 with friends at a pub in Sheffield.
A few hours later, the group, which included 23-year-old Sharna Burgin decided to continue their evening in the city centre.
Roberts drove the group in his Mercedes GLA, with officers identifying Snapchat videos sent by passengers in the vehicle showing him driving dangerously and reaching speeds of up to 100mph.
As Roberts took a bend, he lost control and collided with a parked taxi in a layby. The taxi was damaged in the crash and Roberts’ Mercedes set on fire within minutes of the collision.
The passenger in the front seat of Roberts’ car told officers during his interview: ‘I thought I was going to die.’ He added that he could see the crash coming, putting his arms in front of his face.
The passenger was the first out of the car and recalled how Roberts’ seat was empty and that he had already fled the scene.
With the car about to go up in flames, he helped his friends out of the car, with one passenger unconscious and Ms Burgin left critically injured. Emergency services attended and took five people to hospital.
A hunt was launched for Roberts after he fled the scene, but he handed himself into Shepcote Custody at 6pm the same day to report he had been in a collision.
Roberts was arrested and transported to hospital due to the injuries he had sustained in the collision.
The following day Ms Burgin died in hospital as a result of her injuries and Roberts was further arrested for causing death by dangerous driving. Ms Burgin left behind a three-year old daughter.
A 23-year-old mother posted ‘I’m gunna die’ in a tragic final Snapchat moments before a 100mph crash that killed her and seriously injured other passengers
Roberts drove the group in his Mercedes GLA, with officers identifying Snapchat videos sent by passengers in the vehicle showing him driving dangerously and reaching speeds of up to 100mph
A hunt was launched for Roberts after he fled the scene, but he handed himself into Shepcote Custody at 6pm the same day to report he had been in a collision
Judge Jeremy Richardson branded Roberts a ‘coward’ for fleeing the scene before handing himself in ‘many hours later when the effects of the alcohol had worn off’
Recorder Judge Jeremy Richardson described Roberts as ‘arrogant’ and a ‘coward’ and said he must be punished for his actions.
He told Roberts: ‘You caused this devastation by your arrogance and desire to brazenly show off to your friends by driving far too fast and losing control of a high-powered Mercedes motor car…
‘You were driving about 100mph on a road where the speed limit was 50mph…
‘Not only were you arrogant and showing off, you’re also a coward. You ran from the scene, leaving your friends to their fate and seriously injured and the other on the way to death.
‘What did you do? You made off and handed yourself in many hours later when the effects of the alcohol had worn off. What a cowardly thing to do. Never mind the utterly appalling driving.’
Since her death, friends of Ms Burgin have organised a GoFundMe to raise money for her family.
Paying tribute to Ms Burgin on Facebook, friend Ashleigh Turner said: ‘My beautiful bestest friend In the whole wide world, my soul sister.
‘I’m truly heartbroken and devastated, life will be so different without you, my right arm.
‘I miss you so much, you will be truly missed by many, may you rest in internal peace, I love you always and forever and cherish every moment we shared.
‘I will help look after your family and your little girl, fly high my angel until we meet again.’
Another friend, Jackie Hector said: ‘I am so very very sorry from the bottom of my heart, what a beautiful young lady she was inside and out, truly heartbroken for you all.’
Roads Policing Inspector Peter Heginbotham said: ‘This is an extremely sad investigation in which a young woman tragically died at the hands of someone else.
‘I hope this sends out a strong message that the decisions you make as a road user can have devastating consequences.
‘Sharna’s friends and family continue to grieve her loss and their lives will never be the same.
‘Roberts’ life and that of his friends and family will also never be the same again, as he now starts his lengthy prison sentence.
‘I urge everyone to think “is it worth the risk?”. Alcohol, drugs, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt are the main contributing factors to fatal and serious collisions in South Yorkshire.
‘Everyone has a responsibility to create safer roads.’
Roberts appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 26 July where he was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 14 years and three months.
