UK-based Nigerian falls asleep at wheel after almost 3 days of driving, kills man, jailed
A Nigerian British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been jailed for six years after falling asleep at the wheel and causing a crash that killed a 59 year old man in Surrey, United Kingdom.
Erunkulu, who is from Bexleyheath and holds both British and Nigerian nationality, was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
According to Surrey Police, the fatal collision occurred shortly before 6:30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025, on the A23 in Merstham.
The victim, Philip Dray, had safely parked his Volkswagen in a roadside layby to take a break. He was opening the driver’s door to return to his vehicle when Erunkulu’s Audi veered into the layby and struck him. Dray died at the scene.
CCTV footage 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 investigating the crash examined footage from Erunkulu’s vehicle as well as data obtained from his employers.
The investigation revealed that Erunkulu had driven for about 53 hours during the three days leading up to the crash.
Police said his longest rest period during that time was only seven hours, while other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two of about two hours each.
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 in his vehicle showed Erunkulu experiencing what police described as a “microsleep”, a brief episode of sleep lasting only a few seconds.
During one of the episodes, his vehicle veered across the carriageway and struck Dray, who was standing in the layby.
The footage also showed Erunkulu continuing to drive for about another 10 seconds before eventually stopping at the next layby.
Erunkulu was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026 and 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 he been convicted after a trial.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, running concurrently 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 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.”
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 significantly 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 he was a careful and conscientious driver who always prioritised the safety of his passengers and other road users.
His partner described Dray as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man”, saying he had been her “cheerleader, advisor, partner, and best friend”.
She described him 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 highlight the dangers of driving while fatigued and prevent similar tragedies.