Spanish authorities have released a significant update in the investigation into the tragic deaths of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva. According to the Civil Guard, preliminary findings indicate that Jota was likely driving the Lamborghini Huracán that crashed and burst into flames on the A-52 near Zamora, close to Spain’s border with Portugal.
The acid green sports car was reportedly traveling “well above” the speed limit of 120km/h (74mph) when it veered off the road during an overtaking maneuver, possibly triggered by a tyre blowout. Both Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, are believed to have died on impact.
The brothers were en route to the UK by road, after doctors had advised Jota against flying due to recent surgery. Tragedy struck as the Lamborghini lost control, slammed into the central reservation, and caught fire.
In just their second official statement since the fatal crash, the Civil Guard revealed that ongoing investigations, including the analysis of tire tread marks, strongly suggest Jota was driving at the time. The final expert report is expected to be submitted to a local court in Puebla de Sanabria in the coming days.
“Everything is pointing to a significant speeding violation,” the Civil Guard stated. “The forensic analysis continues, but current tests identify Diogo Jota as the driver.”
However, the tragedy has also prompted scrutiny over the safety of the road itself. Road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado, president of the Spanish Association of Road Safety Auditors (ASEVI), raised concerns about multiple contributing factors. Speaking to La Opinión de Zamora, he argued that while speeding was likely a factor, the road’s poor conditions also played a critical role.
“If they had been going 55mph, they probably wouldn’t have died,” he said, pointing to the road’s “many faults” and a similar serious crash involving a 60-year-old woman just eight days earlier at the same location.
Delgado also criticized the central reservation barrier, calling it an “obstacle” due to its flawed design and positioning.
Cernadilla town officials, from the municipality near the crash site, echoed safety concerns. With a population of just over 100, the community has labeled the A-52 stretch “very dangerous,” demanding immediate improvements to prevent future tragedies.
As fans across the world continue to mourn the loss of Diogo Jota and his brother, questions linger—not just about who was driving, but whether the fatal accident could have been prevented.