British-Nigerian Taxi Driver Sentenced To 6 Years Imprisonment After Falling Asleep At Wheel, Killing A Man

A British-Nigerian 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 in Surrey.

Erunkulu, of Bexleyheath, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 25, after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

According to Surrey Police, the fatal crash occurred shortly before 6:30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025, on the A23 in Merstham.

The victim, identified as Philip Dray, had safely parked his Volkswagen in a roadside layby to take a break and was opening the driver’s door to return to his vehicle when Erunkulu’s Audi crossed into the layby and struck him.

Dray died at the scene.

CCTV footage obtained during the investigation showed the Audi’s nearside wheels crossing completely over the white lines into the layby before the vehicle corrected its course following 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 about 53 hours in the three days preceding the crash.

Police said his longest rest period during that time was seven hours, while other breaks included one of about four hours and two of approximately two hours.

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, his vehicle veered across the carriageway and into the layby, striking Dray.

The footage showed Erunkulu continuing to drive for about another 10 seconds before stopping at the next layby.

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 sentencing, Judge Lees said the footage showed 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.”

Surrey Police said Erunkulu would have received a nine-year prison sentence if he had been convicted following a trial.

He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, to run concurrently with his prison sentence, and will be required to pass an extended driving test if he applies for a new licence.

Police warn against fatigue driving.

Acting Detective Inspector, Rob Baldwin of Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case highlighted the dangers 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 severely affect a driver’s ability to remain alert and react safely, particularly during the early hours of the morning when the natural drive to sleep is strongest.

“Anyone who feels tired should not continue driving, as the consequences can be devastating,” he said.

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 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 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 left 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.