A UK court has sentenced Kolawole Erunkulu, a UK-based Nigerian taxi driver, to six years in prison for falling asleep at the wheel and causing the death of a man.

Mr Erunkulu, 45, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday for causing death by dangerous driving, a statement by Surrey Police said.

“Kolawole Erunkulu, a taxi driver from Bexleyheath, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel,” the police said. “Video footage from Erunkulu’s car was examined by detectives, alongside data obtained from his employers.”

According to police, the video showed that Mr Erunkulu had been driving for around 53 hours over the three days leading up to the collision. 

Police added that his longest rest period between drives was three days beforehand for just seven hours. Other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two of around two hours. 

The crash happened shortly before 6.30 a.m. on Sunday, 17 August 2025 on the A23 in Merstham. Police found that in the period immediately before the collision, Mr Erunkulu “had been working as a taxi driver for around 12 hours, with only minor breaks.”

As a result of the accident, “59-year-old Philip Dray, who had parked his car safely in a layby for a break, was opening the driver’s door to climb back into his vehicle when he was struck by a sleeping Mr Erunkulu’s Audi. 

“Philip sadly died at the scene,” the police said. 

Mr Erunkulu, who has joint British and Nigerian nationality, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026. He pleaded guilty in court in June before being sentenced.

At sentencing, Her Honour Judge Lees said, “The footage shows the defendant was extremely tired and, in my view, has continued to drive when he must have known that.

“He was driving commercially. Even though he didn’t have a passenger, he could have done and has driven in that state. All of this could have been stopped had he have slept.”

Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said, “This case sadly highlights the very real dangers of driving while fatigued. Mr Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over the preceding days, accumulating a sleep debt.

“Fatigue can seriously impair a driver’s ability to remain alert and react safely, particularly during the early hours of the morning when the natural drive to sleep is at its strongest. Anyone who feels tired should not continue driving, as the consequences can be devastating.”