Nigerian Uber driver jailed for k!lling another motorist in the UK after falling asleep while driving

A taxi driver who killed a man on the A23 in Surrey after driving for prolonged periods has been jailed for six years.

Kolawole Erunkulu fell asleep at the wheel shortly before 6.30am on Sunday, 17 August, causing his Audi to swerve across the carriageway in Merstham before crashing into a Volkswagen parked at the side of the road. The Volkswagen was being driven by Philip Dray, who was k!lled in the collision.

Footage recorded by a camera inside Erunkulu’s vehicle captured the moment he fell asleep while driving. Data obtained from his employers also showed that he had driven for around 53 hours during the three days before the fatal crash. Erunkulu was charged with causing de@th by dangerous driving in March 2026 and pleaded guilty at court in June.

At Guildford Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years in prison for causing de@th by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years, to run concurrently with his prison sentence. The court heard how Erunkulu’s prolonged driving and lack of rest preceded the fatal collision, which claimed the life of Mr Dray.