A Nigerian-British taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after he caused a tragic accident that resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man in Surrey, UK. The incident occurred on August 17, 2025, when Erunkulu fell asleep at the wheel, causing his vehicle to veer off course and strike Philip Dray, who was parked safely in a layby.

The collision took place shortly before 6:30 AM on the A23 in Merstham, where Dray had stopped to take a break. As he was opening the door of his parked Volkswagen, Erunkulu's Audi crossed into the layby and hit him. Unfortunately, Dray died at the scene of the accident.

Surrey Police reported that Erunkulu, who resides in Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. The investigation revealed alarming details about his driving schedule, showing that he had worked for approximately 53 hours over the three days leading up to the crash, with his longest rest period being only seven hours. In the 12 hours before the accident, he had been actively driving as a taxi driver with only brief breaks.

CCTV footage from the scene showed the Audi's nearside wheels crossing over the white lines into the layby before the collision. Additionally, an interior camera in Erunkulu's vehicle captured him experiencing a brief episode of sleep, referred to as a “microsleep,” just before the crash. Following the impact, he continued driving for about ten seconds before stopping at the next layby.

During the court proceedings at Guildford Crown Court, Judge Lees noted that the footage clearly indicated Erunkulu was extremely tired yet chose to continue driving. She stated, “All of this could have been stopped had he have slept.” Had he been convicted after a trial, Erunkulu could have faced a nine-year sentence.

In addition to his prison term, Erunkulu has been disqualified from driving for eight years, which will run concurrently with his sentence. He will also be required to pass an extended driving test if he seeks to regain his driving license in the future.

Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin from Surrey Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit emphasized the dangers of driving while fatigued. He stated that Erunkulu's long hours without adequate rest had accumulated a significant sleep debt, which severely impaired his ability to drive safely. Baldwin warned that fatigue can drastically affect a driver's alertness, particularly during early morning hours when the natural inclination to sleep is strongest.

Philip Dray's family expressed their grief over the loss, describing him as an “amazing partner and man” who was caring and dependable. His partner highlighted the emotional void left by his death, stating that he was her “partner and soulmate.” In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while tired, the family has consented to the release of footage showing Erunkulu falling asleep at the wheel.