A passenger who survived a Fast and Furious-style crashed which killed his best friend revealed today how he only discovered she had died when he awoke from his coma.
Joshua Deguara, 21, was travelling with his friend Sophie Taylor, 22, through Cardiff city centre when Michael Wheeler, 23, and Melissa Pesticcio, 24, launched a 2km car crash, 'literally driving' Miss Taylor to her death as she ploughed into a block of flats.
The duo - who attacked Miss Taylor out of a 'self-righteous and jealous rage' because she had briefly dated Wheeler - were today jailed for a total of 14 years.
As they were sentenced, Mr Deguara - who faces having his leg amputated - revealed how he spent 101 days in hospital and has 'lost all dignity' after having to re-learn basic tasks such as swallowing.
In a heartbre aking statement which prompted applause from the public gallery, the survivor said it was only after two weeks in a medically-induced coma that he realised his best friend had perished following the horrific crash.
Sophie Taylor (left) suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in hospital the following day while her passenger Joshua Deguara, 21 (right outside court) spent 101 days in hospital after suffering life-changing injuries
Michael Wheeler, 23, and Melissa Pesticcio, 24, pursued his ex-girlfriend Sophie Taylor, 22, in separate vehicles as she drove through Cardiff. They have been jailed for a total of 14 years
The court had also been told during the trial how Mr Deguara made an 18 minute 999 from the passenger seat of Miss Taylor's car saying they were being chased by Pesticcio and were 'scared'.
After getting himself to the stand on crutches, he said: 'I had a bad case of post-traumatic amnesia. My parents had to break the news to me that my good friend Sophie had passed away.'
He added: 'I have lost all my dignity and feel like a child. Sometimes I feel so angry with what has happened.
'I know I'm lucky to be alive but my life will never be the same.'
During the case, Cardiff Crown Court heard how Wheeler had been in a relationship with Pesticcio when he started dating Miss Taylor in June last year.
The relationship between Wheeler and Miss Taylor ended weeks later and Pesticcio and Wheeler becoming 'increasingly hostile' towards her.
In shocking CCTV shown to the court, the pair were seen chasing Miss Taylor through Cardiff in separate cars 'like a pack chasing its prey'.
As the chase intensified, they hit speeds of up to 56mph. Three minutes later, at 12.35am on August 22, Wheeler 'rammed' the side of Miss Taylor's car, causing it to spin out of control and crash into a block of flats.
Miss Taylor suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in hospital the following day while Mr Deguara was cut free from the wreckage and suffered suffering life-changing injuries.
The court heard how the BMW hit the building with such force residents had to move out while their homes were repaired.܉
Wheeler admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. A jury later convicted Pesticcio of the same charges.
To day, Judge Tom Crowther QC jailed Wheeler for seven years and six months, and Pesticcio for six years and six months for the 'completely avoidable' tragedy.
Miss Taylor's mother Jackie and 60 family and friends wore pink, her favourite colour, at Cardiff Crown Court (pictured)
The crash took place in the early hours through Cardiff city centre (pictured)
'That waste of life, that shattering of two families was completely avoidable.
'It was caused by you two, when you were consumed by a self-righteous and jealous rage, chasing her down to frighten her and teach her a lesson.'
He added: 'You were nothing more than a pack chasing its prey.'
Judge Crowther said Wheeler and Pesticchio kne w they were hounding Miss Taylor into the narrow streets, where the crash happened.
He added: 'Sophie and Joshua must have been terrified - this was an act of violence. You were trying to ram her off the road and you did.'
Miss Taylor's mother Jackie and 60 family and friends wore pink, her favourite colour, in the public gallery at Cardiff Crown court, where they watched CCTV of the fatal pursuit.
In a witness impact statement after the sentencing, she said: 'My beautiful baby has been snatched from my arms and is never coming back.
'As a family our lives have changed forever - we don't laugh and joke like we used to.'
Her father Rodney added: 'I am, in some ways, the luckiest father in the world.
'I cherish every moment and hope that wherever she is, she finds the peace and h appiness that she deserves. I hope that maybe one day we will meet again.'
The public gallery also burst into spontaneous applause when Mrs Taylor completed her statements. They applauded again when the pair were led away to start their prison sentences.
CCTV footage shown in court (pictured) shows Miss Taylor being chased in her black BMW (front) by the duo
The chase continued for three minutes and 2km before she ploughed into a block of flats
During the trial, the court heard how Pesticcio, who wearing her pyjamas, led the 58mph chase in her white BMW. In the final moments, Wheeler overtook in his Vauxhall Corsa.
Both Pesticcio and Wheeler drove away after the crash but parked a short distance away, where they wer e arrested by police.
The court heard how there had been 'increasing tension and hostility' between Pesticcio and Miss Taylor.
Pesticcio had made threats against Miss Taylor and cut her up at traffic lights.
When the two women met in a Tesco car park Pesticcio told Sophie: 'If I didn't have kids with me I'd f****** kill you.'
This picture shows the route of the car crash and where the three vehicles were during the incident
The court heard Wheeler was angry that Miss Taylor was putting him under pressure to pay her back for a £6,500 motorbike she bought for him on credit during their brief relationship.
Prosecuting, Matthew Cobbe told the court that on September 13, while on bail, Wheeler had been driving a friend's car.
Wheeler admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. A jury later convicted Pesticcio (pictured) of the same charges
Wheeler spotted a prosecution witness and a friend in a car, and turned to head after him - driving right behind them.
'He effectively tailgated them for 300 metres so close that they believed he was within inches of the car,' Mr Cobbe said.
Wheeler was taken into custody following the incident, for which he received an additional 12-month prison sentence.
Speaking outside the court on Wednesday, Miss Taylor's mother said: 'Since that dreadful day, we feel that justice can and will never be fully served.
'For the death of our beloved Sophie, there will be no amount of justice for the events that led to her death.
'And for the life-changing injuries that Josh has sustained - no amount of justice will ever be sufficient.'
Speaking previously, Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rob Cronick, of South Wales Police, said Wheeler and Pesticcio 'acted together' to pursue Miss Taylor.
'They literally drove Sophie to her death and left Joshua with horrific injuries from which he may never recover,' he added.
'Michael Wheeler's treatment of Sophie prior to her death involved coercion and control and was indicative of systematic domestic abuse.
'Melissa Pesticcio was driven by jealousy and rage as an ex-girlfriend of Wheeler. Their behaviour leading up to the tragic incident was nothing short of despicable.'
