Newly released police bodycam video shows former England soccer star Raheem Sterling sitting inside his wrecked Lamborghini with nitrous oxide canisters on his lap moments before officers arrested him following a dangerous highway crash.
The footage was made public this week after Sterling, 31, pleaded guilty in court to dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a specimen for testing.
The incident itself happened on May 28, when Sterling was driving his Lamborghini Urus during morning rush hour on several roads in southern England, including the M25 and M3.
Witnesses described his driving as erratic, and dashcam footage showed the luxury SUV swerving between lanes. One driver told authorities they were genuinely worried Sterling might kill someone because of the way he was driving.
Prosecutors said Sterling was also seen inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon while behind the wheel.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
The drive eventually ended when his Lamborghini crashed near the Minley interchange in Hampshire. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
Police bodycam footage taken at about 9:15 a.m. shows Sterling sitting in the damaged vehicle with large nitrous oxide canisters and a deflated balloon on his lap.
An officer can be heard telling him to put the items down.
Sterling then appears to move the canisters and balloon behind his seat before asking if he can make a phone call. The officer refuses and begins questioning him about who had been driving the Lamborghini.
Police later found six nitrous oxide canisters inside the vehicle.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is classified as a Class C drug in the U.K. when possessed for wrongful inhalation.
Sterling also underwent roadside impairment testing after the crash.
He tested negative for cannabis and cocaine, but prosecutors said he failed impairment tests and later refused to provide a blood specimen.
Sterling appeared Tuesday at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen.
He was immediately disqualified from driving and released on unconditional bail.
Sterling is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 25 for sentencing. Prosecutors have said the dangerous-driving offense falls into the most serious category and could potentially carry a prison sentence.
Sterling is one of the most recognizable English soccer players of his generation.
He earned 82 appearances for England and scored 20 international goals. His club career has included Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, and he most recently played for Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term deal before becoming a free agent.
Ha Ha Ha!