Charlie Austin under police investigation after Southampton ace leaves cyclist critical in horror road crash
Striker, 27, ploughed into the man riding his bicycle as he set off from a traffic-lighted junction in Southampton city centre
FOOTIE ace Charlie Austin has been under police investigation after crashing into a cyclist who was left critically injured.
The Southampton striker, 27, knocked into the man riding his bicycle as he set off from a traffic-lighted junction.
Austin stopped his car and attended the cyclist who was in a critical condition.
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He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance from the scene in Southampton city centre in October.
The cyclist has since made a gradual recovery with Austin regularly checking on his health.
Cops launched an investigation into the incident and took a statement from the player earlier this month.
The £4million star has not been arrested though road traffic accident investigations can take months before a driver is summoned to court.
He has described the accident as "extremely regrettable" and said he has "co-operated fully with the police in their investigation of the accident."
Austin said in a statement to the Sun: "In late October 2016, I was driving in the city centre of Southampton and had stopped at traffic lights at a junction.
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"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."
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 with his wife Bianca Parker.
Austin had then played for Burnley before he moved to Queens Park Rangers for three years until 2016.
Hampshire Police declined to comment on the incident.