Dashcam footage has captured the seconds before an exhausted Audi driver slipped into a “microsleep” and caused a fatal collision.
Kolawole Erunkulu was travelling along the A23 in Merstham, Surrey, when his vehicle left its lane and hit 59-year-old Philip Dray.
The recording shows Erunkulu repeatedly nodding off at the wheel on the morning of August 17 last year, shortly before the crash unfolded.
The 45-year-old taxi driver had been on the road for 12 hours without a proper break and had not taken adequate rest for nearly three days. He was not carrying passengers at the time of the collision.
As fatigue overwhelms him, Erunkulu can be seen fighting to keep his eyes open before briefly closing them and then suddenly jolting awake.
Surrey Police said he had entered a “microsleep” — a fleeting burst of sleep lasting only seconds, during which the brain stops processing information. In those crucial moments, his Audi drifted across the carriageway.
Erunkulu, of Bexleyheath in south-east London, then struck Mr Dray, who was standing in a lay-by at the roadside.
Mr Dray had pulled over to rest and was opening the driver’s door of his Volkswagen to get back inside when he was hit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Erunkulu, who has joint British and Nigerian nationality, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving this March.
Dashcam footage shows Kolawole Erunkulu nodding off behind the wheel of his car on the morning of August 17, 2025
Philip Kray, who was knocked down and killed by Erunkulu after he fell asleep behind the wheel of his car
Erunkulu pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court in June and last week was jailed for six years.
He has also been immediately disqualified from driving for eight years and will be subject to an extended retest if he reapplies for his licence.
At sentencing Judge Patricia Lees said: ‘The footage shows the defendant was extremely tired and, in my view, has continued to drive when he must have known that.
‘He was driving commercially. Even though he didn’t have a passenger, he could have done and has driven in that state. All of this could have been stopped had he slept.’
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin said: ‘This case sadly highlights the very real dangers of driving while fatigued. Mr Erunkulu had worked long hours with insufficient rest over the preceding days, accumulating a sleep debt.
‘Fatigue can seriously impair a driver’s ability to remain alert and react safely, particularly during the early hours of the morning when the natural drive to sleep is at its strongest.
‘Anyone who feels tired should not continue driving, as the consequences can be devastating.’
As he struggles to stay awake, Erunkulu shuts his eyes before he suddenly jolts awake
Erunkulu pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court in June and last week was jailed for six years
Paying tribute to Mr Dray, his family described him as ‘an amazing partner and man’.
His sister said he was ‘dependable and steady; the sort of person people could rely on without hesitation’.
‘He never sought attention and lived his life quietly, but he cared deeply about others and treated people with respect and decency. He was simply a good man,’ she said.
‘Philip spent his life as a careful and conscientious driver, ensuring the safety of his passengers and other road users. The fact that he, someone who worked every day to keep others safe, had his life taken in such a way makes this loss even more incomprehensible and tragic.’
Mr Dray’s partner described him as ‘a sweet, gentle and caring man’.
She said they were each other’s ‘cheerleader, adviser, partner and best friend’, and he was ‘the one who was always there to give me a hug’.
She added: ‘Phil was my partner and my soulmate’ and described ‘an enormous emotional and physical void’ without him. ‘He would ring me several times a day whenever he was waiting for a client or at lunch, just to see how my day was going. I miss those calls very much.’
To highlight the dangers of driving whilst fatigued, the family have agreed to the release of video footage of the driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Police found that Erunkulu had been driving for around 53 hours over three days leading up to the collision.
Data from his employer showed that the longest rest he had was just seven hours, which was three days before the accident.
Other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two of around two hours. In the period immediately before the collision, he had been taxi driving for around 12 hours with only minor breaks.
