UK court jails sleep-deprived Nigerian taxi driver for fatal crash

A Nigerian taxi driver, Kolawole Erunkulu, has been sentenced to six years in prison and an eight-year driving ban for causing the death of Philip Dray in a fatal crash. The 45-year-old driver from Bexleyheath fell asleep at the wheel after driving for 53 hours over three days, with his longest break being just seven hours. Erunkulu's Audi veered off the road, striking Dray, a 59-year-old man who had stopped in a lay-by for a break, on August 17, 2025.

Footage from inside Erunkulu's vehicle showed him experiencing a microsleep just before the crash, which then swerved and struck Dray before continuing for about 10 seconds. Erunkulu had been working as a taxi driver for about 12 hours prior to the collision, with only short breaks. Her Honour Judge Lees stated that the footage showed Erunkulu was extremely tired and should have stopped driving.

The case highlights the dangers of driving while fatigued, as fatigue can seriously impair a driver's ability to remain alert and react safely.