A 45-year-old 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 causing the death of a 59-year-old man in Surrey.
Erunkulu was driving an Audi shortly before 6:30am on August 17, 2025, when his vehicle swerved across the A23 in Merstham and struck Philip Dray, who had parked his Volkswagen safely in a layby and was opening the driver’s door to return to the vehicle.
Dray died at the scene.
Erunkulu pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Evidence presented to the court showed that he had driven for about 53 hours during the three days before the crash.
His longest period of rest during that time was seven hours, while other breaks lasted about four and two hours. Immediately before the collision, he had driven for around 12 hours with only brief breaks.
Footage from a camera inside the vehicle showed Erunkulu experiencing what was described as a “microsleep” — a brief episode of sleep lasting only seconds.
During one such episode, the Audi veered across the carriageway and struck Dray before continuing for another 10 seconds and eventually stopping at the next layby.
Erunkulu was charged in March 2026 and pleaded guilty in June. On August 25, 2026, Guildford Crown Court sentenced him to six years in prison.
The court heard that he could have received a nine-year sentence had he been convicted following a trial.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and will be required to undergo an extended driving test if he later applies to regain his licence.
Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was “extremely tired” but continued driving despite being aware of his condition.
She said the fatal collision could have been avoided if he had stopped and slept.
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