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Daud Olatunji
A Nigerian taxi driver in the UK, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after he fell asleep while driving and fatally hit a 59-year-old motorist who had stopped in a lay-by.
Erunkulu, 45, of Bexleyheath, had driven for around 53 hours over three days before the crash, with his longest break lasting just seven hours, according to evidence presented to the court.
He was also banned from driving for eight years and will have to take an extended driving test if he wants to regain his licence.
The fatal collision occurred on August 17, 2025, when Erunkulu’s Audi went off the road and hit Philip Dray as he was getting into his Volkswagen after stopping in a lay-by.
Footage recorded inside Erunkulu’s vehicle showed he was experiencing microsleep shortly before the collision.
The vehicle subsequently went off the road and struck Dray before continuing for several seconds.
Erunkulu, who had worked as a taxi driver for around 12 hours with only short breaks before the crash, pleaded guilty in June 2026 to causing death by dangerous driving.
During sentencing, Honorable Judge Lees said the footage showed that Erunkulu was extremely tired and should stop driving.
The judge noted that the danger was particularly grave because Erunkulu was a commercial driver who could have transported passengers while in those conditions.
He said the tragedy could have been avoided if he had stopped to sleep.
Acting Inspector Rob Baldwin of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the case demonstrated the potentially devastating consequences of driving while tired.
He said Erunkulu had accumulated a “sleep debt” after working long hours without sufficient rest for several days.
Baldwin warned motorists against continuing their journey when they feel tired, noting that tiredness can significantly affect a driver’s alertness and ability to react safely.
The danger increases in the early hours of the morning, when the body’s natural tendency to sleep is strongest.
A microsleep may last only a few seconds, but during that short period the driver may not be able to process what is happening on the road.
Meanwhile, Dray’s death has left her family and partner devastated.
His family described him as an “extraordinary partner and man”, saying he was reliable, respectful and caring.
His sister said Dray lived quietly and never sought attention, but cared deeply about other people.
He 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 kind and caring man whose death had created a huge emotional void.
She remembered that he called her several times a day, especially while waiting for customers or during the lunch break, simply to ask her how her day was going.
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