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 crashing into a 59-year-old man in Surrey.
Erunkulu, a resident of Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after his Audi veered into a roadside lay-by on the A23 in Merstham and struck Philip Dray.
The fatal incident occurred shortly before 6:30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
According to Surrey Police, Dray had safely parked his Volkswagen in the lay-by to take a break. He was opening the driver’s door to return to his vehicle when Erunkulu’s Audi entered the lay-by and struck him. He died at the scene.
CCTV footage showed the Audi’s nearside wheels crossing the white lines and entering the lay-by before the vehicle corrected its course following the collision.
As part of the investigation, detectives examined footage from Erunkulu’s vehicle and working-time records obtained from his employers.
Investigators found that Erunkulu had driven for approximately 53 hours over the three days preceding the crash. His longest rest period during that time was about seven hours, while other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two of around two hours.
Police said that in the 12 hours immediately before the collision, Erunkulu had been working as a taxi driver with only short breaks.
Footage from an interior camera installed in his vehicle showed him experiencing what investigators described as a “microsleep”, a brief episode of sleep lasting only a few seconds.
During the episode, the vehicle veered across the carriageway and entered the lay-by where Dray was standing.
The footage showed Erunkulu continuing to drive for approximately another 10 seconds before eventually stopping at the next lay-by.
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 faced a nine-year sentence had the case proceeded to trial and resulted in a conviction.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, concurrent with his prison sentence. If he applies for a new driving licence in the future, he will be required to pass an extended driving test.
During sentencing, Judge Lees said the footage demonstrated that Erunkulu was “extremely tired” but continued driving despite his condition.
“The footage shows the defendant was extremely tired and, in my view, has continued to drive when he must have known that,” the judge said.
She added, “All of this could have been stopped had he have slept.”
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case underscored the potentially fatal consequences of driving while fatigued.
“Mr Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over the preceding days, accumulating a sleep debt,” Baldwin said.
He warned that fatigue could significantly impair a driver’s ability to stay alert and respond 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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dray’s family described him as an “amazing partner and man”, saying he was dependable, caring and always someone others could rely on.
His sister said Dray was a careful and conscientious driver who spent his life prioritising the safety of passengers and other road users.
His partner described him as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man”, adding that they had been each other’s “cheerleader, advisor, partner, and best friend”.
She said Dray was her “partner and soulmate” and that his death had created an “enormous emotional and physical void”.
The family agreed to the release of footage showing Erunkulu falling asleep at the wheel to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while fatigued.
