Nigerian Man Sentenced To 6 Years in jail After Falling Asleep While Driving And Causing Man’s Death In The UK

A 45-year-old Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep while driving and causing the death of 59-year-old Philip Dray in Surrey, UK.

Shortly before 6:30am on August 17, 2025, an Audi driven by Erunkulu swerved across the A23 in Merstham and struck Philip, who had safely parked his Volkswagen in a layby and was opening the driver’s door to get back inside. Philip died at the scene.

Erunkulu pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Footage from his vehicle and data from his employers showed that he had driven for around 53 hours over the three days before the crash. His longest rest was seven hours, while other breaks lasted around four hours and two hours. Immediately before the collision, he had worked for about 12 hours with only minor breaks.

The car’s interior camera captured Erunkulu falling into “microsleep”, a brief episode of sleep lasting seconds. During one episode, his vehicle veered across the carriageway and struck Philip before continuing for another 10 seconds and 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 for causing death by dangerous driving. Had he been convicted after a trial, he would have received nine years. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and will face an extended retest if he reapplies for his licence.

Her Honour Judge Lees said the footage showed Erunkulu was “extremely tired” and had continued driving despite knowing that. She said the incident could have been prevented if he had slept.