Footballer Raheem Sterling could face jail time of up to two years after formal charges were filed against him for dangerous driving and drug-related offences. The charges stemmed from a motorway crash in May.
The formal charge from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary stated: '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 and failing to provide a specimen.'
'The charges came following a single-vehicle collision, involving a Lamborghini, on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley interchange… No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported,' a Constabulary spokesperson said of the charges.
Dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide both carry the maximum penalty of two years in prison, as well as a mandatory driving ban for the former and community service orders for the latter. For the third charge of failing to produce a specimen, penalties include fines, community order and driving disqualification.
Sterling is currently out on bail. There were videos of him driving erratically and veering across lanes, striking roadside safety barriers before 9 a.m. on 28 May 2026. He eventually crashed on the southbound carriageway close to the Minley Interchange in Hampshire.
Sources close to the footballer said the abrupt end to his professional career took a heavy toll on him.
BREAKING!🚨Former England footballer Raheem Sterling has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving. The 31-year-old allegedly crashed his Lamborghini while travelling on the M3 on Thursday and was stopped by police at around 9am. #news #football #raheemsterling #worldcup #foryou
Sterling had a stellar start with Queens Park Rangers before moving to Liverpool in 2010. By 2014, he was awarded the Golden Boy award, which is an annual recognition given by Tuttosport journalists to an under-21 European footballer who had an impressive year.
The Jamaican-born winger made history in 2015 when Manchester City signed him for £49 million ($66.9) with add-ons. It was considered to be the highest transfer fee for an English player at that time. His time with Manchester was marked with many triumphs: four Premier League titles and inclusion in the Premier League Team of the Year. He was also named Young Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year for the 2018-2019 season.
During his stint with Manchester, Sterling was often included in the debate for best footballer in Europe. In most of 2019, he was among the continent's leading players for goals and assists with 53, until Lionel Messi, then playing for Barcelona, overtook him in October with 55.
At the end of 2019, Sterling finished fourth among the top goal and assist scorers behind Messi, Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich and Kylian Mbappe of PSG, and ahead of Manchester City teammate Sergio Aguero.
Sterling moved to Chelsea in a high-profile £50 million ($68 million) transfer in 2022. His time at the club was followed by periods of reduced playing time and uncertainty over his future.
He joined Arsenal on loan for the 2024-2025 season before returning to Chelsea. His Chelsea contract was terminated in January 2026. He subsequently moved to the Netherlands in February, but the contract was cut in May, shortly before the reported vehicle accident.
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