Online Reporter
A SHOCKED motorist has told how he honked his horn repeatedly to warn Raheem Sterling he was swerving across a motorway before he crashed — but the footie ace failed to even look at him.
He said the former England player weaved across lanes on the M3 before smashing into a barrier and spinning his black £270,000 Lamborghini 180 degrees on a slip road roundabout.
The Sun reported how the ex-Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal star was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
The witness said the crash took place during rush hour on Thursday morning close to Junction 4 of the M3 near Minley, Hampshire, and caused the wheels of Sterling’s Lamborghini Urus V8 to leap 4ft into the air.
He claimed the 31-year-old also drove on the wrong side of the slip road at one point, towards oncoming traffic.
The witness, a van driver who did not want to be named, said: “Just after I got on the M3 westbound I saw a Lamborghini swerving.
“He nearly crashed into the left-hand barrier. He was drifting left into the hard shoulder and almost crashed. I thought there was something up with this guy.
“By this point I’d gone past him in the fast lane and he nearly went into the side of me on the inside lane so I beeped him.
“As I’m looking at him I don’t even think he could hear me beeping.
“He didn’t even acknowledge me beeping. I could just make out a young guy with a white vest on.
“Once I was past him the swerving got much worse. As I got off at the Minley junction (4A) and I was merging left to go over the flyover bridge, he came flying down on my outside.
“He was going fast on the wrong side of the road over the bridge, so four or five cars had to pull over to get out of his way.”
The driver told how he looked in his rear view mirror and Sterling was 150 metres behind him — before suddenly appearing next to him on the road.
He added: “I was still looking in my mirrors because it was inevitable he was going to crash. When I was going slowly, he nearly went into the back of me.
“He cut in front of me and then veered left into a barrier and hit the front left of his vehicle and the tyres went about 4ft into the air. The car spun about 180 degrees.
“He would have kept going I’m sure if he hadn’t hit his wheels.”
The witness said Sterling eventually came to a halt with his car spun round to face vehicles coming towards him.
He said he dialled 999 and a police call handler advised him not to stop and to continue his journey as a patrol car was close to the scene following alerts from other motorists.
The witness went to collect some materials from a builder’s yard.
Hours later, he learned from workers at the builder’s yard Sterling was the driver, after his arrest was reported on The Sun website.
He said:
“I was shocked when I found out it was Raheem Sterling at the wheel. I couldn’t believe it. The roads were pretty busy as it was half-term so lots of people were out and about to enjoy the nice weather.”
A source close to Sterling said: “It’s been an extremely tough couple of years for him and this incident encompasses that.
“At a time when his ex-colleagues are preparing for the World Cup, he can only watch from afar.
“He has always leant into meditation and other mindfulness tactics, but has recognised a need for greater support.
“He endeavours to be the greatest father and partner he can be, so this has devastated him.”
Hampshire Police said:
“Just before 9am on Thursday we received reports that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange.
“No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of a class C drug and failing to provide a specimen.”
Sources close to the former Three Lions ace said he has been struggling recently after his move from Man City to Chelsea backfired and saw him loaned to Arsenal.
In February, he joined Dutch club Feyenoord, but that deal is ending and he will be out of contract.
The source added: “He was a prolific international who steered the England squad to significant heights over the last decade and has been made to feel worthless.
“The psychological strain that has put on him is immeasurable.”
They added:
“He feels isolated. The second he touches a ball, he’s told he’s a flop and he’s finished. He’s been mocked and heckled.
“He moved to the Netherlands to escape and rediscover his love for the game, but the negativity followed. It’s been extremely tough.”— Sun.
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