Diogo Jota Driving When Lamborghini Crashed, Police Suspect Speeding
A tragic accident claimed the lives of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, in northwestern Spain last Thursday, with investigators indicating Jota was behind the wheel and excessive speed was likely a factor. The 28-year-old player and his brother, 25, died when their Lamborghini left the A52 motorway near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province and erupted in flames.
Investigation Focuses on Speed and Tire Failure
Initial reports suggest a tyre blowout may have contributed to the devastating crash. However, authorities are increasingly focused on the possibility that the vehicle was traveling at an unsafe speed. “Everything also points to a possible excessive speed beyond the speed limit of the road [highway],” a local traffic police official stated. Investigators have analyzed tyre marks left at the scene, which reportedly stretch approximately 100 meters (330 feet) from the point of impact.
Driver Confirmed as Liverpool Star
Police have definitively identified Jota as the driver of the Lamborghini. “All the tests carried out so far indicate that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota,” authorities confirmed. An expert report detailing the findings of the investigation is currently being prepared for the courts. The intensity of the fire, which almost completely destroyed the vehicle, has complicated the investigative process.
Brothers’ Journey Interrupted
The brothers were en route to the Spanish port of Santander, intending for Jota to return to Liverpool to begin pre-season training. The accident occurred just 11 days after Jota’s marriage to his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shares three children. A funeral was held for the brothers in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, over the weekend.
Road Conditions Not a Factor
Despite initial speculation regarding the road surface, police have dismissed concerns about uneven asphalt as a contributing factor. According to reports in Spanish media, authorities stated the location is not considered a known accident hotspot and the road was considered safe for travel at speeds exceeding the posted limit of 120km/h (75mph).
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to this tragic loss.
