A UK-based Nigerian taxi driver has been sent to prison for six years after a deadly crash caused by exhaustion left a 59-year-old man dead.
45-year-old Kolawole Erunkulu, from Bexleyheath, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after he fell asleep behind the wheel and ploughed into Philip Dray, who had stopped at a roadside lay-by for a break.
The fatal incident happened on August 17, 2025, when Erunkulu’s Audi suddenly veered off the road and struck Dray as he was getting into his Volkswagen.
Court heard that Erunkulu had pushed himself to the limit before the tragedy, driving for a staggering 53 hours within three days, with his longest rest period lasting only seven hours.
Footage recovered from inside his vehicle showed the moment he suffered a microsleep — a brief but dangerous episode where a driver loses awareness for a few seconds — shortly before the crash.
The vehicle reportedly drifted off the road and hit Dray before continuing for about 10 seconds.
Prosecutors told the court that Erunkulu had spent about 12 hours working as a taxi driver with only brief breaks before the collision.
He later pleaded guilty in June 2026 to causing death by dangerous driving.
Passing sentence, Her Honour Judge Lees said the evidence showed Erunkulu was extremely tired and should never have continued driving.
She said the tragedy could have been avoided if he had stopped to sleep instead of remaining behind the wheel while exhausted.
“Fatigue can seriously affect a driver’s ability to stay alert and react safely,” investigators warned, describing the crash as a painful reminder of the dangers of driving while tired.
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said Erunkulu had accumulated a dangerous “sleep debt” from working long hours without enough rest.
He warned motorists that fatigue, especially during early morning hours when the body naturally fights sleep, can have devastating consequences.
Following the sentence, Erunkulu was also banned from driving for eight years and will be required to pass an extended driving test before returning to the road.
Meanwhile, Dray’s grieving family described him as a kind, dependable and selfless man whose death had left a huge emptiness.
His sister said he lived quietly but always showed respect and compassion to others.
She said it was heartbreaking that a man who spent his life being careful on the road lost his life in such a tragic manner.
Dray’s partner also paid an emotional tribute, describing him as her “sweet, gentle and caring” soulmate.
She revealed that he used to call her several times a day whenever he was waiting for a client or taking a break, simply to check how she was doing.
She said those calls were among the things she missed most after his sudden death.
