A Nigerian-British taxi driver has been sentenced to six years in prison in the United Kingdom after falling asleep at the wheel and fatally striking a motorist who had stopped in a roadside lay-by to rest.
Kolawole Erunkulu, 45, of Bexleyheath, south-east London, was driving an Audi along the A23 at Merstham, Surrey, shortly before 6:30 a.m. on August 17, 2025, when he reportedly experienced what investigators described as a “microsleep.”
His vehicle crossed the white line into a roadside lay-by and struck Philip Dray, 59, who had stopped there to take a break. Dray was reportedly opening the door of his Volkswagen to get back inside when he was hit. He died at the scene.
An investigation into the crash found that Erunkulu had driven for approximately 53 hours over the three days preceding the collision. Records showed that his longest rest period during that time was seven hours, while other breaks lasted about four and two hours.
Police said Erunkulu had also worked as a taxi driver for approximately 12 hours immediately before the crash, taking only short breaks.
Footage from inside the vehicle reportedly showed Erunkulu appearing extremely tired before briefly falling asleep. During one of the microsleeps, his Audi veered into the lay-by and struck Dray.
Despite the collision, Erunkulu continued driving for about 10 seconds before stopping at another lay-by.
Surrey Police said Erunkulu, who holds both British and Nigerian nationality, pleaded guilty in June to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on August 25, 2026, to six years’ imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for eight years. Police said he could have received a nine-year sentence had the case proceeded to trial.
During sentencing, Judge P. Lees said the footage demonstrated that Erunkulu was “extremely tired” but continued driving despite being aware of his condition.
“All of this could have been stopped if he had slept,” the judge said.
Police said the case highlighted the potentially fatal consequences of driving while fatigued, particularly following prolonged periods without adequate rest.
Dray’s family described him as a careful and conscientious driver who was dependable and considerate of others.
His partner remembered him as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man”, saying his death had left an enormous void in her life.
The fatal crash occurred in August 2025, but details of the case and footage of Erunkulu were released by Surrey Police on September 1, 2026, bringing renewed attention to the dangers of driver fatigue.
