Former England footballer Raheem Sterling is facing a significant jail sentence after he was charged with dangerous driving.
The 31-year-old, currently without a club following the termination of his Chelsea contract and a failed spell at Feyenoord, crashed his Lamborghini on the M3 back in May.
Sterling also faces charges of possessing laughing gas and failing to provide a specimen following his arrest.
Dangerous driving carries a maximum two-year prison sentence if found guilty.
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A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman said: “A driver will appear in court next month to face charges following a collision on the M3.
‘Raheem Sterling, 31, from Berkshire, has been charged for the following offences: dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, failing to provide a specimen.
‘The charges come following a single vehicle collision, involving a Lamborghini, on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange, on 28 May, 2026.
‘No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
‘Mr Sterling is due to appear at Basingstoke magistrates court on 15 September.’
Dashcam footage of the incident, released in June, appeared to show Sterling pulling in front of another car without indicating before almost hitting the central reservation.
A van is forced to brake suddenly to avoid crashing into the Lamborghini, which then veers between two lanes for several seconds.
Sterling appeared to have a balloon in his hand during the clip.
In 2021 he was allegedly caught inhaling laughing gas – sometimes known as ‘hippy crack’.
Sterling’s brush with the law is the latest sad chapter in a career that has been in decline ever since he left Manchester City nearly four years ago
After establishing himself as a key cog in Manchester City’s trophy winning machine under Pep Guardiola, the winger lost his way at Chelsea amid the chaos and upheaval at Stamford Bridge.
A loan move to Arsenal last season, where it had been hoped he could rebuild his career working for Mikel Arteta, who had been a key part of the coaching team during the best period of Sterling’s career at City, turned into a disaster.
Sterling managed just five Premier League starts during his time with the Gunners, scored just one goal in all competitions and failed to cement a place in a forward line that had been decimated by injuries.
Upon his return to Chelsea it was made clear by the club’s then manager, Enzo Maresca, that he had no chance of forcing his way back into his plans and he spent six months on the sidelines.
Eventually Sterling’s contract was terminated in January, despite his deal, which was worth £325,000-a-week, having 18 months left to run.
The former Liverpool star subsequently secured a move to Dutch club Feyenoord in February but he is a free agent once again having made just eight appearances.
A source told the Daily Mail the star of the Three Lions run to the final of Euro 2020 has been in an extremely difficult place over the course of the last two years in particular.
‘The psychological strain that has been put on him is immeasurable. Isolated,’ the source is reported to have said.
‘The second he touches a ball, being told he’s a flop and he’s finished. Mocked. Heckled.
‘He moved to the Netherlands to escape and rediscover his love for the game but the negativity followed. It’s been an extremely tough couple of years for him and this incident encompasses that.’
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