Raheem Sterling has been charged with three offences over a single-vehicle crash on the M3, three months after his £270,000 Lamborghini came off the motorway near the Minley Interchange on 28 May 2026.

The former England forward is accused of dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, and failing to provide a specimen, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

Sterling, who is without a club, is due at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 15 September 2026.

Two of the three charges carry two years

The two most serious counts each carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Dangerous driving is punishable by up to two years on indictment under UK road traffic law, and possession of nitrous oxide has carried the same maximum since 8 November 2023, when the gas was reclassified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Supply of the substance can bring up to 14 years.

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The third count, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, is a summary offence with a lower maximum of six months’ imprisonment when brought against a driver, alongside a mandatory disqualification.

Nitrous oxide, widely used as a propellant in whipped cream chargers, was previously controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Personal possession only became a criminal offence at the end of 2023, when the government moved it into the Misuse of Drugs Act as part of its anti-social behaviour plan.

Free agent after Chelsea exit and short Feyenoord spell

Sterling has been out of contract since the summer. His Chelsea deal was terminated by mutual consent in January 2026, and a short-term switch to Feyenoord produced eight appearances and no goals in the Eredivisie before the Dutch club decided against extending the arrangement.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary released only a brief statement when the charges were announced.

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“A driver will appear in court next month to face charges following a collision on the M3,” the force said, adding that no other vehicles were involved and no one had been hurt.

Sterling has not commented publicly on the charges.

The 15 September hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court will be his first formal appearance in the case.

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