Southampton striker Charlie Austin has beenunder police investigationafter crashing into a cyclist who was left with critical injuries, according to a report inThe Sun.Austin, 27, ploughed into the cyclist as he set off from a traffic lighted junction in Southampton city centre.
The striker stopped his car and immediately helped the cyclist who was in a critical condition. The Southampton star has since been regularly checking on the health of the cyclist who has made a gradual recovery.
Police launched an investigation into the incident and took a statement from Austin earlier in February. The £4m striker has not been arrested by the police, but road traffic investigations can often take months before the driver is summoned to court.
The former Queens Park Rangers player described the accident as "extremely regrettable" and said that he has "co-operated fully with the police in their investigation of the accident."
The Premier League striker, who has scored 10 goals in 23 games for the Saints, said in a statement that:
"In late October 2016, I was driving in the city centre of Southampton and had stopped at traffic lights at a junction. I moved forward when the lights turned green and it was at that point that a cyclist unexpectedly came across my path and a collision occurred.
"Following a police investigation of the accident, I provided a statement to the Hampshire Constabulary in early 2017 to give them my version of events."
Hampshire Police have declined to comment on the incident.
In 2013, Austin was found guilty of a nightclub assault and fined £1,800 with another £1,320 in costs. He had punched Sam Webb, 20, in the face in Bushwackers nightclub in Swindon, while out with his wife.