London Taxi Driver Killed ‘Sweet, Gentle’ Man After Falling Asleep at Wheel
Investigators said Erunkulu had driven about 53 hours in three days and showed microsleep before his Audi struck Philip Dray.
- On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Guildford Crown Court sentenced taxi driver Kolawole Erunkulu to six years in prison for causing the death of Philip Dray, who was struck when Erunkulu fell asleep at the wheel on the A23 in Merstham last year.
- Detectives found Erunkulu had worked 53 hours over the three days preceding the August 17, 2025 crash; interior camera footage captured the driver experiencing 'microsleep' before his vehicle struck Dray.
- Her Honour Judge Lees noted Erunkulu was 'extremely tired' and continued driving despite knowing the risk; had he been convicted at trial, he would have received nine years instead of six.
- To highlight the dangers of driving while fatigued, Dray's family agreed to release footage showing Erunkulu falling asleep at the wheel, describing the 59-year-old as 'dependable and steady' and 'an amazing partner and man.'
- The court also disqualified Erunkulu from driving for eight years, requiring an extended retest if he reapplies. Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit stated, 'Fatigue can seriously impair a driver's ability to remain alert.
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UK-based Nigerian falls asleep at wheel after almost 3 days of driving, kills man
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, UK. Surrey Police said Erunkulu of Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after his Audi crossed into a roadside layby and struck Philip Dray. The fatal collision happened shortly before 6.30am on Sunday, August 17, 2025, on the A23 in Merstham. P…
UK-Based Nigerian Taxi Driver Jailed Six Years For Killing Man After Falling Asleep At Wheel - NewsTmes.com.ng
A UK-based Nigerian taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep at the wheel and fatally hitting a man who had stopped in a lay-by for a break. Erunkulu, 45, from Bexleyheath, had driven for about 53 hours over three days before the crash, with his longest break … The post UK-Based Nigerian Taxi Driver Jailed Six Years For Killing Man After Falling Asleep At Wheel appeared first on NewsTmes.com.…
UK- Based Nigerian Jailed Six Years After Falling Asleep At Wheel, Killing Man
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 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 […]
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