Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was likely driving over the speed limit when the car he and his brother were traveling in crashed and burst into flames, killing both men.
Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, died early last Thursday after their Lamborghini suffered a suspected tyre blowout on the A52 motorway in Zamora province, northwestern Spain.
Initial findings from Spain’s Guardia Civil indicate that Jota was at the wheel when the vehicle veered off the road near the town of Palacios de Sanabria while reportedly overtaking.
“All evidence so far suggests excessive speed beyond the legal limit of the road,” said the local traffic division in Zamora. Authorities believe Jota lost control of the car shortly after the tyre failure.
Tyre Marks and Fire Complicate Investigation
Investigators have analyzed skid marks found approximately 100 meters (330 feet) from the point of impact, which they say support the theory of high speed. Police confirmed that Jota was likely the driver based on all available test results.
A full forensic report is currently being prepared for the courts. However, police noted that the investigation has been made more difficult due to the severity of the fire, which almost entirely destroyed the vehicle.
Although there were earlier suggestions that the road surface may have been uneven in the crash area, local police told Spanish media the road was not classified as a high-risk area and should have been safe to drive even above the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit.
Tragic Loss Just Days After Wedding
The crash occurred just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children.
He and his brother were reportedly en route to the port city of Santander so Jota could return to Liverpool for pre-season training by ferry, following medical advice to avoid flying after a minor surgery.
The brothers’ funeral was held over the weekend in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, where family, friends, teammates, and supporters paid their final respects.
