A Nigerian-British taxi driver has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep at the wheel and causing a fatal collision that killed a 59-year-old man in Surrey, United Kingdom.
Kolawole Erunkulu, a resident of Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after his Audi crossed into a roadside layby and struck Philip Dray.
The fatal collision occurred shortly before 6:30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025, on the A23 in Merstham, Surrey.
Mr Dray had safely parked his Volkswagen in the layby to take a break and was opening the driver’s door to return to his vehicle when he was struck by Erunkulu’s Audi.
He died at the scene.
Driver Had Accumulated Severe Sleep Debt
CCTV footage showed the Audi’s nearside wheels crossing completely over the white lines into the layby before correcting course after the collision.
Detectives from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit examined footage from Erunkulu’s vehicle as well as data obtained from his employers.
The investigation established that Erunkulu had driven for approximately 53 hours during the three days preceding the crash.
His longest rest period during that time was only seven hours, while other breaks included one of about four hours and two of about two hours.
In the 12 hours immediately before the crash, Erunkulu had been working as a taxi driver with only short breaks.
Footage from an interior camera in his vehicle showed Erunkulu experiencing what police described as a “microsleep” – a brief episode of sleep lasting only seconds.
During the episode, his vehicle veered across the carriageway and struck Mr Dray, who was standing in the layby.
The footage showed Erunkulu continuing to drive for approximately another 10 seconds before stopping at the next layby.
Sentencing and Disqualification
Erunkulu, who holds both British and Nigerian nationality, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared in court in June.
At Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 25, he was sentenced to six years in prison.
Police said he would have received a nine-year sentence had the case gone to trial.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, running concurrently with his prison sentence, and will be required to pass an extended driving test should he apply for a new licence.
During sentencing, Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was “extremely tired” but continued driving despite his condition.
The judge said the fatal crash could have been prevented if Erunkulu had stopped and slept.
Police Warning on Dangers of Fatigued Driving
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case highlighted the dangers of driving while fatigued.
He said Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over several days, accumulating a sleep debt that affected his ability to remain alert and react safely.
Detective Inspector Baldwin warned motorists not to continue driving when tired, particularly during the early hours of the morning when the natural drive to sleep is strongest.
Family Pays Tribute to ‘Amazing’ Victim
Mr Dray’s family described him as an “amazing partner and man”, saying he was dependable, caring, and someone others could rely on.
His sister said Mr Dray was a careful and conscientious driver who spent his life prioritising the safety of his passengers and other road users.
His partner described him as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man” and said 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 to highlight the dangers of driving while fatigued.
