Former England international Raheem Sterling, 31, was arrested on the morning of Thursday,March 20 , after his Lamborghini Urus V8 crashed into a barrier on the M3 motorway near Minley, Hampshire. According to Hampshire Police, the driver—a 31-year-old man from Berkshire—faces charges of drug driving, dangerous driving, possession of a Class C drug, and failing to provide a specimen. He has been bailed while investigations continue. the incident comes amid a steep decline in Sterling's football career since he left Manchester City for Chelsea in 2022.

The £270,000 Lamborghini crash that launched wheels 4ft into the air

A witness, a van driver who did not want to be named,told The Sun that Sterling's Lamborghini Urus, worth an estimated £270,000, was swerving dangerously before the crash. The driver reported that Sterling nearly hit the left-hand barrier and drifted into the hard shoulder, prompting the witness to sound his horn repeatedly.. The witness said Sterling did not appear to hear the warning.

The situation quickly escalated: the lorry driver described seeing the car veer into a barrier, sending its tyres flying 4ft into the air and spinning the vehicle approximately 180 degrees. Four or five other cars had to pull over to avoid being hit. No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported, according to police.

From 10 major trophies to bomb squad exile: the two-year tailspin

Sterling's career has nosedived since he left Manchester City—where he won 10 major trophies, including four Premier League titles and an FA Cup—for Chelsea in a £50 milion transfer. At Chelsea, he was paid £325,000 per week on a five-year deal, but quickly fell out of favour under manager Enzo Maresca, who exiled him to the so-called 'bomb squad' training away from the first team for over six months. a failed loan spell at Arsenal in the 2024-25 season followed, and his Chelsea contract was terminated months ago.

Sterling signed for Dutch club Feyenoord in February 2025, playing eight times without scoring before his contract expired at the end of the season. His last appearance for England was in the 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in December 2022, capping 82 caps for the senior team.

The drug driving charges and what police still haven't revealed

Hampshire Police have charged Sterling with driviing while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, possession of a Class C drug, and failing to provide a specimen. However, as reported by Daily Mail, key details remain unknown: what specific Class C drug was allegedly found, whether blood tests were taken at the scene, and what evidence led to the drug driving suspicion apart from the witness's observation of swerving. The police statement says only that Sterling was bailed pending further enquiries, offering no timeline for potential court appearances.

The source close to Sterling, speaking to Daily Mail Sport, described the footballer as having endured 'immeasurable' psychological strain over the past two years—isolated, mocked, and heckled. The source claimed Sterling moved to the Netherlands to escape the negativity, but it followed him. Sterling's representatives declined to comment.

What the witness saw and the unanswered questions about the minutes before the crash

The van driver's account is the only public narartive of the incident so far. He reported that Sterling drove on the wrong side of a slip road toward oncoming traffic moments before the crash. Yet it is unclear how long the erratic driving lasted, whether other motorists contacted police before the crash, or if Sterling was alone in the vehicle. Police have not released CCTV or dashcam footage, and the absence of inujries suggests the heavy Lamborghini absorbed much of the impact. The witness's warning horn may have been the only attempt to stop Sterling's driving before police pulled him over at 9am.