Daud Olatunji
A Nigerian taxi driver in the United Kingdom, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep while driving and fatally hitting a 59-year-old motorist who had stopped in a lay-by.
Erunkulu, 45, of Bexleyheath, had driven for about 53 hours over three days before the crash, with his longest break lasting only seven hours, according to evidence presented to the court.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and will be required to take an extended driving test if he seeks to regain his licence.
The fatal collision occurred on August 17, 2025, when Erunkulu’s Audi left the road and struck Philip Dray as he was getting into his Volkswagen after stopping in a lay-by.
Footage recorded inside Erunkulu’s vehicle showed him experiencing a microsleep shortly before the collision.
The vehicle subsequently veered off the road and struck Dray before continuing for several seconds.
Erunkulu, who had been working as a taxi driver for about 12 hours with only brief breaks before the crash, pleaded guilty in June 2026 to causing death by dangerous driving.
During sentencing, Her Honour Judge Lees said the footage demonstrated that Erunkulu was extremely tired and should have stopped driving.
The judge noted that the danger was particularly serious because Erunkulu was a commercial driver who could have been carrying passengers while in that condition.
She said the tragedy could have been avoided if he had stopped and slept.
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case demonstrated the potentially devastating consequences of driving while fatigued.
He said Erunkulu had accumulated a “sleep debt” after working long hours without sufficient rest over several days.
Baldwin warned motorists against continuing their journeys when they feel tired, stressing that fatigue can significantly affect alertness and a driver’s ability to react safely.
He added that the danger is heightened during the early hours of the morning, when the body’s natural tendency to sleep is strongest.
A microsleep can last only a few seconds, but during that brief period a driver may fail to process what is happening on the road.
Meanwhile, the death of Dray has left his family and partner devastated.
His family described him as an “amazing partner and man”, saying he was dependable, respectful and caring.
His sister said Dray lived quietly and never sought attention but cared deeply about other people.
She described him as a careful and conscientious driver who had spent his life ensuring the safety of passengers and other road users.
Dray’s partner also described him as a gentle and caring man whose death had created an enormous emotional void.
She recalled that he would call her several times a day, particularly when waiting for clients or during lunch breaks, simply to ask how her day was going.
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