Jota’s car was probably speeding before fatal crash, Spanish police say
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Spanish police say Diogo Jota was likely speeding before the crash that killed him and his brother André Silva.
Police Say Speed Likely Cause in Fatal Crash That Killed Diogo Jota and His Brother
Spanish authorities say preliminary evidence strongly indicates that Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota was driving and speeding when the fatal accident that claimed his and his brother’s lives occurred last Thursday.
The 28-year-old Liverpool forward and his younger brother André Silva, 25, died when their Lamborghini sports car crashed on a Spanish motorway in Zamora province. The vehicle is believed to have suffered a tyre blowout before veering off the A52 highway near the town of Palacios de Sanabria and bursting into flames.
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Speed Likely a Factor
The Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, said that the vehicle had been overtaking at the time of the crash and early indicators point to a speeding violation.
“Everything also points to a possible excessive speed beyond the speed limit of the road,” Zamora’s traffic police said in a statement on Monday.
The legal limit on that stretch of motorway is 120 km/h (75 mph). Police say the force of the impact and tyre marks visible up to 100 metres before the crash site suggest Jota was traveling at high speed.
A full expert report is currently being prepared for the courts as part of a formal investigation into the crash. Investigators noted that the intensity of the fire has made it more difficult to piece together the exact chain of events, but “all the tests carried out so far indicate that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota.”
Not a Dangerous Road Section
Some local media outlets speculated that the road conditions may have contributed to the accident, noting uneven asphalt where the crash occurred. However, the Guardia Civil dismissed this theory, stating that the location was not classified as an accident black spot and that the surface was safe for vehicles even at speeds above the limit.
Jota’s Lamborghini, which was extensively damaged and almost entirely destroyed by the fire, had been travelling toward the Spanish port city of Santander. The footballer was reportedly on his way to catch a ferry back to the UK to begin pre-season training with Liverpool.
A Sudden End After Joyful Moments
The tragedy came just 11 days after Diogo Jota married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso in a private ceremony in Portugal. The couple shared three children, and photos of the wedding had recently surfaced on social media, showing a joyful Jota celebrating with family and friends.
The brothers’ funeral took place over the weekend in their hometown of Gondomar, a municipality located on the outskirts of Porto in northern Portugal. Thousands of mourners, including Liverpool teammates, former coaches, and fans, attended the service to pay their respects.
Tributes poured in from around the football world. Liverpool FC released an official statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their star player, describing Jota as a “dedicated professional and family man” whose “passion for football inspired millions.”
Remembering Diogo and André
Friends and former teammates of Jota have taken to social media to share their grief. Fellow Portuguese international Bernardo Silva wrote, “We played, laughed, and dreamed together. I still can’t believe you’re gone.”
Meanwhile, André Silva, though lesser-known in football circles, was described by locals as a “quiet, kind-hearted soul” who supported his brother throughout his professional journey.
As investigators continue to examine the wreckage and gather data, Jota’s sudden death leaves a huge void—not just in the world of sport, but in the lives of those who knew him personally.
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