UK court jails Nigerian taxi driver for fatal crash

Kolawole Erunkulu, a 45-year UK-based Nigerian taxi driver,  has been jailed for six years after falling asleep at the wheel and fatally hitting a man who had stopped in a lay-by for a break.

Erunkulu from Bexleyheath, had driven for 53 hours over three days before the fatal crash, with his longest break being seven hours.

The crash occurred on August 17, 2025, when Erunkulu’s Audi veered off the road and struck 59-year-old Philip Dray, who was getting into his Volkswagen after stopping in a lay-by.

According to LBC News on Tuesday, footage from inside Erunkulu’s vehicle showed him experiencing a microsleep shortly before the crash. His car then swerved off the road and struck Dray before continuing for about 10 seconds.

Erunkulu had worked as a taxi driver for about 12 hours with only short breaks before the collision.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in June 2026.

Erunkulu was sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years. He will also be required to undergo an extended driving test if he applies for a new licence.

Sentencing him, Her Honour Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was extremely tired and should have stopped driving.

“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,” she said.

“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 of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case highlighted the dangers of driving while fatigued.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

A microsleep can last only a few seconds, but during that period, the brain may fail to process information, according to LBC News.

Dray’s family described him as “an amazing partner and man” who was dependable and steady.

His sister said he lived quietly but cared deeply about others and treated people with respect.

“He never sought attention and lived his life quietly, but he cared deeply about others and treated people with respect and decency. He was simply a good man,” she said.

She said Dray had spent his life as a careful and conscientious driver, ensuring the safety of his passengers and other road users.

“The fact that he, someone who worked every day to keep others safe, had his life taken in such a way makes this loss even more incomprehensible and tragic,” she said.

Dray’s partner described him as a “sweet, gentle, and caring man” and “the one who was always there to give me a hug.”

“Phil was my partner and my soulmate,” she said, adding that his death had left “an enormous emotional and physical void”.

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