Sheffield – A man responsible for the death of his rear-seat passenger and the severe injury of others has been sentenced to prison for his reckless actions.
Leon Roberts, 25, was driving at nearly 100mph when he crashed into a parked taxi on Sheffield Parkway in February 2023. After the collision, he fled the scene, leaving his friends trapped in the car, which was on the verge of catching fire.
Moments before the crash, passengers had shared videos on social media with the caption, “I’m gonna die.”
Investigations revealed that Roberts and his friends had been socializing at a pub in Sheffield on Saturday, February 25, 2023. A few hours later, the group, including 23-year-old Sharna Burgin, decided to head to the city centre. Roberts agreed to drive them in his Mercedes GLA, stopping at his house to change before setting off.
Snapchat videos sent by the passengers documented Roberts’ high-speed driving down the Parkway, capturing the speedometer and his reckless driving.
As Roberts took a bend on the Parkway, he lost control and collided with a parked taxi in a layby. The taxi, which had stopped moments earlier, was heavily damaged, and Roberts’ Mercedes caught fire shortly after the crash.
A front-seat passenger recalled to officers: “I thought I was going to die,” describing how he saw the crash coming and braced himself. He was the first to escape the car and noticed that Roberts had fled. With the vehicle about to ignite, he helped the other passengers, including an unconscious individual and critically injured Sharna Burgin, out of the car. Emergency services arrived, and five people were taken to the hospital.
A search for Roberts ensued, but he turned himself in at Shepcote Custody at 6 p.m. the same day, reporting his involvement in the collision. He was arrested and taken to the hospital for his injuries. Tragically, Sharna died the next day due to her injuries, leading to Roberts being further charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Roads Policing Inspector Peter Heginbotham stated: “This is an extremely sad investigation in which a young woman tragically died at the hands of someone else. I hope this sends 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 severe and fatal collisions in South Yorkshire. Everyone has a responsibility to create safer roads.”
Recorder Judge Jeremy Richardson, in sentencing Roberts, described him as “arrogant” and a “coward” who must face punishment for his actions. Addressing Roberts, Judge Richardson said, “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, but 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.”
Roberts, of Ballifield Close, Sheffield, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, July 26, and was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 14 years and three months.
