A Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison in the United Kingdom after falling asleep while driving and causing a crash that killed a 59-year-old man in Surrey.
Erunkulu, who lives in Bexleyheath, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on August 25 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The fatal crash happened shortly before 6:30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025, on the A23 in Merstham, according to Surrey Police.
The victim, Philip Dray, 59, had parked his Volkswagen safely in a roadside layby to take a break. He 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.
Investigation reveals extensive driving hours
CCTV footage examined by detectives showed the Audi’s nearside wheels crossing completely over the white lines into the layby before the vehicle corrected its course after the collision.
Detectives from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit examined footage from Erunkulu’s vehicle, alongside data obtained from his employers.
The investigation found that Erunkulu had driven for approximately 53 hours during the three days before the crash.
His longest rest period during that time was seven hours, while other breaks included one lasting about four hours and two of approximately two hours each.
In the 12 hours immediately before the collision, Erunkulu had been working as a taxi driver with only short breaks.
An interior camera installed in his vehicle captured 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 into the layby, striking Dray.
The footage showed Erunkulu continuing to drive for about another 10 seconds before stopping at the next layby.
Judge says crash could have been prevented
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.
During sentencing, Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was extremely tired but continued driving despite being aware of his condition.
The judge said the incident could have been prevented if Erunkulu had stopped driving and 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. He will be required to pass an extended driving test if he applies for a new driving licence.
Police warn motorists about fatigue
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case highlighted the dangers of driving while fatigued.
Baldwin said Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over several days, resulting in a significant sleep debt.
He warned that fatigue can 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.
Family describes victim as caring man
Dray’s family described him as an “amazing partner and man”, saying he was dependable, caring and someone others could always 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”, saying they had been each other’s “cheerleader, advisor, partner, and best friend”.
She described Dray as her “partner and soulmate” and said 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 in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while fatigued.
