{
  "id": 4902326,
  "title": "UK court jails sleep-deprived Nigerian taxi driver for fatal crash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/uk-court-jails-sleep-deprived-nigerian-taxi-driver-for-fatal-crash",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T17:30:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uk-court-jails-sleep-deprived-nigerian-taxi-driver-for-fatal-crash/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "A Nigerian taxi driver has been jailed for six years in the UK after a fatal crash caused by him falling asleep at the wheel. Learn about the dangers of dr Read More: https://punchng.com/uk-court-jails-sleep-deprived-nigerian-taxi-driver-for-fatal-crash/",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigerian taxi driver Kolawole Erunkulu sentenced to six years in prison.",
    "Erunkulu fell asleep at wheel after driving 53 hours over three days.",
    "Footage shows microsleep moments before fatal crash on August 17, 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "UK court jails sleep-deprived Nigerian taxi driver for fatal crash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/uk-court-jails-sleep-deprived-nigerian-taxi-driver-for-fatal-crash-4905658",
        "published": "2026-09-01T17:48:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}