England star Raheem Sterling charged with dangerous driving, nitrous oxide possession after Lamborghini crash

Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving following a single-vehicle collision involving a Lamborghini on a motorway in southern England.The former England winger is also facing charges relating to the possession of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen. No other vehicle was involved in the incident and no injuries were reported.Sterling is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 15.Charges follow May motorway crashThe charges stem from an incident on the M3 southbound near the Minley Interchange in Hampshire on May 28, 2026.According to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Sterling, 31, was driving a Lamborghini when it was involved in a single-vehicle collision.The force said Sterling had been charged with:Dangerous drivingPossession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalationFailing to provide a specimenThe Associated Press reported that Sterling had initially been arrested following the crash and subsequently released on bail while police continued their enquiries.Police had previously suspected Sterling of driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs, although that suspected offence has not been included among the charges he now faces.A source close to Sterling told BBC Sport in May that there was “no proof” of drugs being present in his system.The same source said Sterling had endured “an extremely tough couple of years”, claiming he had been made to feel “worthless” and “forgotten about.”The police confirmed that the collision involved no other vehicles and that nobody was injured.Sterling's next court dateSterling will now have to appear before the court on September 15, where the charges will be addressed.The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed the hearing date and the three charges against him.The case comes at a difficult point in Sterling's playing career, with the 31-year-old currently without a club.Sterling is currently a free agentSterling most recently played for Feyenoord, joining the Dutch club on a short-term deal in February after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent.He made eight appearances for Feyenoord before the arrangement ended at the conclusion of last season.His departure from Chelsea followed a difficult period at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea signed Sterling from Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2022, but after returning from a loan spell at Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, he was subsequently excluded from Chelsea's first-team plans and made to train separately.Sterling had spent seven years at Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup before making the move to Chelsea.His career had begun at Queens Park Rangers, from whose academy he progressed before joining Liverpool. He made his senior debut for Liverpool and moved to Manchester City in 2015.A distinguished England careerSterling also enjoyed a substantial international career.He won 82 England caps between 2012 and 2022, appearing at three World Cups and two European Championships.He scored 20 goals for England, helping Gareth Southgate's side reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final.Away from football, Sterling has also been recognised for his work addressing racism and discrimination in sport. He was appointed an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to racial equality in sport, following his campaigning and outspoken work against racism both within football and more broadly.For now, however, Sterling's immediate concern is the legal case arising from the May collision. He remains without a club and is due in court in September, with the charges yet to be determined.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.