Raheem Sterling Charged With Dangerous Driving After Crash

Published: 26 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

Former England winger Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation following a single-vehicle crash on the M3 motorway in Hampshire.

Sterling, 31, is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 15 September, where he will face three charges arising from the incident, according to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.

The footballer crashed his Lamborghini on the southbound carriageway of the M3 near the Minley Interchange on the morning of Thursday, 28 May. Police said no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

Sterling was arrested following the collision and subsequently released on bail while officers continued their investigation.

The charges announced by police are dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen.

Police had previously suspected Sterling of driving while unfit through drugs, but that suspected offence has not been included among the charges announced.

A source close to Sterling told BBC Sport in May that there was “no proof” that drugs were present in his system.

The latest development means the former Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal player will now have to answer the allegations in court.

Crash led to police investigation

The collision occurred on the M3 southbound close to the Minley Interchange in Hampshire.

According to police, Sterling’s Lamborghini was the only vehicle involved in the crash. No injuries were reported, although the incident prompted a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The force confirmed that the investigation had resulted in three charges being brought against Sterling.

The possession charge relates specifically to nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, and the allegation that it was possessed for wrongful inhalation.

The charge of failing to provide a specimen is a separate allegation connected with the investigation.

Sterling remains innocent unless and until he is proved guilty in court.

His appearance at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court will provide the first formal stage of the proceedings. The court will consider the charges and determine how the case should proceed.

Sterling’s response has not been detailed

There has been no detailed public response from Sterling regarding the latest charges.

When the crash first became known in May, a source close to the player said there was no evidence that drugs had been found in his system.

The source also described Sterling as having endured an “extremely tough couple of years”, saying he had been made to feel “worthless” and “forgotten about”.

The comments came during a period of considerable uncertainty in Sterling’s football career.

After several years at the top of English football, his recent career has been marked by changes of club, limited opportunities and uncertainty over his future.

His court case now adds another significant issue away from the pitch.

From Manchester City success to Chelsea difficulties

Sterling established himself as one of the leading English forwards of his generation during his seven years at Manchester City.

City signed him from Liverpool in 2015, and he became an important member of a side that dominated English football under manager Pep Guardiola.

During his time at the club, Sterling won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup.

His performances also made him a regular for England. Sterling won 82 international caps between 2012 and 2022 and represented his country at three World Cups and two European Championships.

In 2022, Chelsea paid Manchester City £47.5m for his services.

The move represented a significant change in Sterling’s career, but his time at Stamford Bridge did not develop as many had expected.

After a period with Chelsea, Sterling joined Arsenal on loan in 2024.

He returned to Chelsea in 2025, but was subsequently excluded from the first-team squad and required to train separately.

His situation illustrated the sharp change in circumstances experienced by a player who had previously been one of the Premier League’s most prominent attacking talents.

Short spell in the Netherlands

Sterling left Chelsea by mutual consent before joining Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term contract in February.

The move gave him an opportunity to revive his career outside England and compete in the Eredivisie.

However, his spell in the Netherlands lasted only until the end of the season.

Sterling has been without a club since leaving Feyenoord and is therefore currently a free agent.

His lack of a club means the court proceedings are taking place at a particularly uncertain stage of his professional career.

The former England international had spent much of his career competing at the highest level of domestic and international football. He is now facing legal proceedings while also attempting to determine what comes next in his playing career.

Nitrous oxide charge

The possession allegation concerns nitrous oxide, a substance that has had a complicated legal history in the UK.

Nitrous oxide has legitimate medical and industrial applications, but recreational use has increasingly been subject to restrictions.

In England and Wales, possession of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes was criminalised in 2023 under legislation aimed at addressing its misuse.

The charge against Sterling is specifically described by police as possession for wrongful inhalation.

The allegation does not by itself establish that Sterling was under the influence of the substance while driving. That distinction will be important as the case proceeds.

Similarly, the dangerous-driving charge is an allegation that must be considered by the court rather than a finding of guilt.

No injuries reported

One significant aspect of the crash is that no one was injured.

Police said there were no other vehicles involved in the incident and no injuries were reported.

Nevertheless, dangerous-driving allegations can carry serious consequences because they concern the standard of driving and the potential risk posed to other road users.

The failing-to-provide-a-specimen allegation could also form an important part of the proceedings, depending on the evidence presented to the court.

The September hearing is therefore likely to establish the legal direction of the case.

A difficult period away from football

The charges come against the backdrop of a difficult period for Sterling professionally.

Once a regular starter for England and a key figure in Manchester City’s title-winning teams, he has experienced a significant reduction in his role at club level in recent seasons.

His move to Chelsea was followed by a loan spell at Arsenal and then a period of separation from Chelsea’s first-team squad.

His short-term move to Feyenoord offered another opportunity, but he is now without a club.

The latest legal proceedings could add further uncertainty to his prospects, although the outcome of the case remains unknown.

For now, Sterling’s immediate priority will be the court process.

What happens next

Sterling is scheduled to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 15 September.

The hearing will deal with the three charges brought by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary following the May collision.

The dangerous-driving allegation, possession allegation and failure-to-provide-a-specimen allegation will all be subject to the normal criminal justice process.

Until the case is determined, Sterling remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The proceedings are likely to attract considerable attention because of his profile as a former England international and Premier League title winner.

Beyond the courtroom, Sterling’s football future is also unresolved.

At 31, he remains an experienced player with a substantial record at club and international level, but his recent career has been disrupted by changes of club and limited first-team involvement.

Whether he can secure another opportunity on the pitch while dealing with the legal proceedings will become clearer in the months ahead.

For now, however, the former England winger faces a court appearance in September following an investigation into the M3 crash, with the final outcome of the allegations yet to be decided.

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