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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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A BRITISH taxi driver has been sentenced to six years in prison for falling asleep at the wheel after driving for 53 hours over three days and killing a 59-year-old man.
·Zagreb, Croatia
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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…
·Nigeria
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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