This is the moment a yawning Audi driver fell into a ‘microsleep’ before he caused a fatal crash.

Kolawole Erunkulu was driving along the A23 in Merstham, Surrey, when he veered off the road and struck Philip Dray.  

Dashcam footage shows Erunkulu nodding off behind the wheel of his car on the morning of August 17 2025.

The taxi driver had been driving for 12 hours straight and had not taken a proper rest in almost three days.  

As he struggles to stay awake, the 45-year-old shuts his eyes before he suddenly jolts awake.

In that moment when he fell into what Surrey Police described as a ‘microsleep’ – a very brief episode of sleep lasting just seconds during which the brain is not processing any information – Erunkulu veered across the carriageway. 

Erunkulu,  from Bexleyheath in southeast London, then collided with Mr Dray, who was standing within a lay-by at the side of the road.

The 59-year-old had parked up to take a break and was opening the driver’s door to climb back into his Volkswagen when he was struck. He died at the scene.

Erunkulu, who has joint British and Nigerian nationality, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in March 2026.

Dashcam footage shows Kolawole Erunkulu nodding off behind the wheel of his car on the morning of August 17 2025

Pictured: Philip Kray who was knocked down and killed by Erunkulu after he fell asleep behind the wheel of his car 

He pleaded guilty when appearing at Guildford Crown Court in June and, last week, he was jailed for six years.

Police said that, had Erunkulu been convicted after a trial, the sentence would have been nine years.

He has also been disqualified from driving for eight years, which runs concurrently, and will be subject to an extended retest if he reapplies for his licence.

In her summing up at sentencing, Her Honour Judge 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 In that moment when he fell into what Surrey Police described as a ‘microsleep’ he veered across the carriageway and struck Mr Kray 

Erunkulu pleaded guilty when appearing at Guildford Crown Court in June and, last week, he 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, advisor, 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 analysed data from Erunkulu’s employer that showed he had been driving for around 53 hours over the three days leading up to the collision.

His longest rest period between drives was three days beforehand for just seven hours.

Other breaks included one of approximately four hours and two of around two hours. In the period immediately before the collision, he had been working as a taxi driver for around 12 hours, with only minor breaks.