A Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison in the United Kingdom after falling asleep at the wheel and causing a crash that killed a 59-year-old man.
Erunkulu, a resident of Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving following the fatal collision on the A23 in Merstham, Surrey, on August 17, 2025.
The victim, Philip Dray, had safely parked his Volkswagen in a roadside layby shortly before 6:30am to take a break.
As he was opening the driver’s door to return to his vehicle, Erunkulu’s Audi reportedly veered into the layby and struck him. Dray died at the scene.
According to Surrey Police, CCTV footage showed the Audi’s nearside wheels crossing completely over the white lines into the layby before correcting course after the collision.
Investigators later examined footage from Erunkulu’s vehicle as well as data obtained from his employers.
The investigation found that the taxi driver had worked for approximately 53 hours during the three days leading up to the crash.
His longest rest period during that time was reportedly only seven hours, while other breaks included one of about four hours and two of approximately two hours.
Police said that in the 12 hours immediately before the fatal collision, Erunkulu had continued working as a taxi driver with only short breaks.
Footage from an interior camera inside his vehicle also captured what investigators described as a “microsleep”, a brief episode of sleep lasting only seconds.
During the episode, his vehicle drifted across the carriageway and into the layby where Dray was standing.
Erunkulu continued driving for about 10 seconds after striking the victim before eventually stopping at another layby.
He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026 and pleaded guilty when he appeared in court in June.
At Guildford Crown Court on August 25, he was sentenced to six years in prison. Police said he would have faced a nine-year sentence had he been convicted after a trial.
The court also disqualified him from driving for eight years. If he eventually applies for a new driving licence, he will be required to pass an extended driving test.
During sentencing, Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was extremely tired but continued driving despite his condition.
The judge said the tragedy could have been avoided if he had stopped to sleep.
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case demonstrated the potentially devastating consequences of driving while fatigued.
He said Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest, resulting in accumulated “sleep debt”, which severely affected his ability to remain alert.
Baldwin urged motorists who feel tired while driving to stop rather than continue their journey, particularly during the early hours when the body’s natural urge to sleep is strongest.
Meanwhile, Dray’s family described him as an “amazing partner and man” who was dependable, caring and always willing to support others.
His partner said he was her “partner and soulmate” and that his death had left an enormous emotional and physical void.
The family has agreed to the release of footage showing Erunkulu falling asleep at the wheel in the hope that it will serve as a warning about the dangers of driving while fatigued.
