LONDON, United Kingdom – A 45-year-old Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep at the wheel and causing a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 59-year-old man in Surrey, England.
Erunkulu, a taxi driver from Bexleyheath in south-east London, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after his Audi veered across the carriageway on the A23 in Merstham and struck a man who had stopped in a roadside lay-by.
The fatal collision happened shortly before 6:30 am on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The victim, identified as 59-year-old Philip Dray, had safely parked his Volkswagen in a lay-by to take a break from driving. He was opening the driver’s door to get back into his vehicle when Erunkulu’s Audi crossed into the lay-by and struck him.
Dray died at the scene.
Driver Had Worked for About 53 Hours Over Three Days
An investigation by Surrey Police found that Erunkulu had been driving for approximately 53 hours over the three days leading up to the crash.
Data obtained from his employers showed that his longest rest period during that time was only seven hours. Other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two breaks of around two hours.
In the 12 hours immediately before the fatal collision, Erunkulu had been working as a taxi driver with only short breaks.
Investigators also examined footage from an interior camera inside his vehicle.
The footage showed Erunkulu experiencing what police described as a “microsleep”, a brief episode of sleep lasting only seconds during which the brain stops processing information.
During the episode, his Audi veered across the carriageway and entered the lay-by where Dray was standing.
The vehicle continued driving for approximately another 10 seconds before Erunkulu stopped at the next lay-by.
Court Hears Driver Was Extremely Tired
Erunkulu was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026 and pleaded guilty when he appeared in court in June.
He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, receiving six years in prison.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, with the driving ban running concurrently with his prison sentence. If he applies for a licence again, he will be required to take an extended driving test.
The court heard that had Erunkulu been convicted after a trial, he would have faced a nine-year sentence.
During sentencing, Her Honour Judge Lees said footage from the vehicle showed that Erunkulu was extremely tired and had continued driving despite knowing his condition.
The judge noted that he was driving commercially and said the tragedy could have been prevented if he had stopped driving and gone to sleep.
Police Warn About the Dangers of Driver Fatigue
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.
According to Baldwin, Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over several days, resulting in what investigators described as a significant “sleep debt”.
He warned that fatigue can seriously affect a driver’s ability to remain alert and react safely, particularly during the early hours of the morning when the body’s natural drive to sleep is strongest.
“Anyone who feels tired should not continue driving, as the consequences can be devastating,” Baldwin said.
Family Pays Tribute to Philip Dray
Following his death, Philip Dray’s family described him as an “amazing partner and man”.
His sister said he was dependable, steady and the kind of person people could rely on.
She described him as someone who cared deeply about others, treated people with respect and lived his life quietly without seeking attention.
Dray’s partner described him as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man” and said he was her partner and soulmate.
She said the two were each other’s “cheerleader, advisor, partner, and best friend”, adding that his death had left an enormous emotional and physical void in her life.
The family has agreed to the release of footage showing Erunkulu falling asleep at the wheel in the hope that it will highlight the dangers of driving while excessively tired.
A Tragic Warning to Drivers
The case has renewed warnings about the dangers of driving while fatigued, particularly for professional and commercial drivers who work long hours.
Erunkulu’s case demonstrates how a brief episode of microsleep can have fatal consequences within seconds.
Surrey Police has urged anyone who feels tired while driving to stop and rest rather than continue their journey.
The six-year prison sentence follows Erunkulu’s guilty plea to causing death by dangerous driving, while his eight-year driving disqualification means he will remain off the road for a significant period even after serving his prison sentence.
