Terrified passenger screamed ‘I’m going to die’ seconds before young mum, 23, was killed by ‘arrogant’ drunk driver
A TERRIFIED passenger screamed “I’m going to die” moments before an “arrogant” drunk driver killed a young mum.
Sharna Brooke Burgin, 23, was killed after “cowardly” Leon Roberts smashed his blue Mercedes GLA into a taxi while speeding at 100mph on February 26.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Roberts, 25, was driving the young mum and three others when the horror unfolded on the A57 Sheffield Parkway.
Roberts had offered the four a lift before hitting a taxi waiting in a layby, as reported by YorkshireLive.
The “despicable” drunk driver fled the grim scene, but later turned himself into police after believing drugs and alcohol in his system had worn off.
But tests revealed he was still positive for cocaine, cannabis and alcohol, yet the court heard how he told his passengers he had “not had a drink”.
Prosecutor Ben Campbell told the court: “There was loud music in the vehicle.
“When he was driving in the overtaking, outside lane, his driving was described as 80mph to 90mph and a passenger told him to slow down and he did not say anything in response.”
He added that Sharna and a fellow passenger had begged Roberts to slow down, fearing for their lives.
A surviving passenger later described the drunk driver as “showing off” while “travelling at around 100mph,” Mr Campbell told the court.
One terrified traveller was understood to have said: “I’m going to die” as Roberts continued to barrel through a 50mph zone at 100mph.
A witness driving in the opposite direction seconds before the fatal smash said he thought “wow it’s flying” before watching Roberts smash into the taxi.
The motorist believed Roberts had been travelling at around 100mph.
Emergency services raced to the scene at around 1.25am.
They rushed a male passenger in Roberts’ car who required surgery on his leg and a scalp haematoma to hospital.
A female passenger was treated for tissue injuries to her head, shoulder and right hip, while the taxi driver was also admitted to hospital.
Young mum Sharna was blue-lighted to intensive care where she was diagnosed brain stem dead after suffering a “devastating brain injury” and haemorrhage.
The 23-year-old was also found with skull, spine and rib fractures a well as a liver laceration.
Mr Campbell told the court how Roberts claimed to have no memory of the tragedy.
“He said he had not meant to go faster and he had raised with the Mercedes garage his car had skidded a few times and he thought he needed new tyres but he had been reassured by them,” the prosecutor told the court.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, Sharna’s mum said she wakes up in a “nightmare” each morning and her daughter’s death will “haunt her forever”.
The court were also told how Sharna’s daughter cries each night for her mum before bed.
Mitigating, Ian Goldsack told the court Roberts “struggles to come to terms with what happened”.
He added how the defendant has no previous convictions and is expecting a baby with his partner.
Roberts plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced to nine years and six months behind bars.
Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told him he had “devastated” Sharna’s family.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The judge added it was “cowardly” to hand himself in after waiting for the alcohol and drugs to leave his system.
He described Roberts’ actions as “despicable”.
Sharna’s friends have taken to social media to express their grief in wake of the tragedy.
One wrote: “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 untill we meet again.”
Another said: “Sharna you will be entirely missed by everyone friends and family. Sending my love to all you. Rest in paradise.”
Meanwhile, a third said: “RIP beautiful Sharna, absolutely devastated.”
A fundraising campaign has also been set up to help her family with their loss.