Jota’s Fatal Crash: Police Suspect Speeding as Key Factor

Spanish police have indicated that all available evidence points towards Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota being the driver of the Lamborghini that tragically crashed on a Spanish motorway, with speed likely being a contributing factor. The devastating incident, which occurred early last Thursday on the A52 motorway near Palacios de Sanabria in northwestern Zamora province, claimed the lives of both Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, 25. Authorities are investigating the possibility of excessive speed beyond the legal limit of 120 km/h (75 mph) as a primary cause of the crash.

According to the Guardia Civil, preliminary findings suggest the car was overtaking when it veered off the road and subsequently burst into flames. The investigation has been made more challenging due to the intensity of the fire, which almost completely destroyed the vehicle. Police have been meticulously analyzing the skid marks left by one of the Lamborghini’s tires, with “all the tests carried out so far indicate that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota,” a spokesperson for Zamora’s local traffic police stated. An expert report is being compiled for the courts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the accident.

The tragic accident occurred just 11 days after Diogo Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in Portugal. The couple shared three young children. The brothers were reportedly en route to the Spanish port of Santander, from where Jota intended to travel back to Liverpool for pre-season training with his club. Their funeral was held over the weekend in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto.

Reports indicate that tire marks were visible approximately 100 meters (330 feet) before the point of impact. While some suggestions pointed to uneven road surfaces as a potential factor, police have clarified that the area is not considered a notorious accident black spot and the road conditions should have been manageable within the legal speed limit. The loss of Diogo Jota has been felt deeply, with teammates and loved ones remembering him as a “symbol of hope & inspiration” and a “Portuguese hero.”