RismadarVoice Reporters
September 1, 2026
A UK-based Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep while driving and causing a crash that killed a 59-year-old man in Surrey.
Erunkulu pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after his Audi crossed into a roadside lay-by on the A23 in Merstham and struck Philip Dray, who had stopped to take a break. Dray died at the scene.
Surrey Police said investigations found that Erunkulu had driven for about 53 hours over the three days before the crash, with limited periods of rest.
Footage from an interior camera also showed him experiencing a brief “microsleep” before his vehicle veered into the lay-by. He continued driving for about 10 seconds before stopping.
At Guildford Crown Court, Erunkulu was also disqualified from driving for eight years and will have to pass an extended driving test before obtaining a new licence.
The judge said the footage showed Erunkulu was extremely tired and continued driving despite knowing his condition.
Police and Dray’s family have supported the release of the footage to warn motorists about the potentially fatal consequences of driving while fatigued.
