UK court jails Nigerian taxi driver for six years after fatal crash caused by fatigue
A Nigerian-born taxi driver in the United Kingdom, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after falling asleep behind the wheel and fatally striking a man who had pulled into a lay-by for a break. Erunkulu, 45, who lives in Bexleyheath, had reportedly spent 53 hours driving over a three-day period before […] The post UK court jails Nigerian taxi driver for six years after…
A Nigerian-born taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison after causing a fatal crash by falling asleep at the wheel. Erunkulu, 45, from Bexleyheath, had driven for 53 hours over three days, taking only seven hours of rest before the accident. On August 17, 2025, his Audi left the road and struck 59-year-old Philip Dray, who was pulling into a lay-by for a break.
Footage showed Erunkulu experienced a microsleep just before the collision, causing his vehicle to veer off the road and hit Dray. Judge Lees emphasized that Erunkulu was dangerously tired and should not have been driving. He was banned from driving for eight years and must pass an extended driving test if he seeks another license.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of driving while fatigued, with Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin warning that fatigue can severely impair a driver's ability to react safely, especially during early morning hours. Dray's family paid emotional tributes, describing him as a reliable, caring, and respectful individual who was deeply missed.
Written by urgent.news from Ripples Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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