Raheem Sterling charged over M3 crash and nitrous oxide possession
Former England forward Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation after his Lamborghini struck barriers on the M3 southbound near the Minley interchange on May 28, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old is also accused of failing to provide a specimen and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on September 15.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight police said no other vehicles were involved in the single-vehicle collision and no injuries were reported. Officers were alerted after motorists reported seeing the Lamborghini swerving on the motorway shortly before the crash. "Raheem Sterling, 31, from Berkshire, has been charged with the following offences: dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, failing to provide a specimen," a Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters. The force confirmed the charges relate to the May incident on the M3.
The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea forward has been without a club since the end of last season. Earlier this year he signed a short-term deal with Dutch side Feyenoord after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent, but that spell concluded without a permanent transfer.
Sterling began his senior career with Liverpool before moving to Manchester City in 2015. During his spell at City he won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and an FA Cup. He transferred to Chelsea in 2022, then spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
At international level Sterling scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for England and played a key role in the team's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final. Off the pitch he has been recognised for his work against racism and discrimination in sport and was appointed an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to racial equality in sport.
Sterling has not been convicted of any offence and will have the opportunity to respond to the charges when he appears at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on September 15.
