BREAKING NEWS: Police Confirm What Caused Diogo Jota’s Car Accident
Tragic news shook the football world as Spanish police confirmed how Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota lost his life in a car accident. The heartbreaking incident occurred in the early hours of July 3rd near Cernadilla, a small town in Zamora, northwestern Spain.
According to the Spanish Civil Guard, Jota was driving a Lamborghini when the car suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. This sudden failure caused the car to veer off the road. Moments later, the vehicle caught fire, making the situation even more devastating.
In an official statement, the police said:
“The information we have is that the car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking. It then set on fire. The accident happened in municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora at around 00:30 local time. Two people died.”
The other victim was identified as André Silva, Jota’s brother. Emergency services arrived quickly but were unable to save either of the two men. Forensic teams later confirmed their identities.
Jota, just 28 years old, had become a key figure at Liverpool since joining in 2020. His passion, goals, and work ethic made him a fan favourite. News of his passing has led to an outpouring of grief from teammates, fans, and clubs around the world.
Liverpool FC described themselves as “heartbroken,” while tributes continue to pour in from the football family.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be. As the world mourns a beloved footballer and brother, thoughts and prayers remain with the Jota family during this incredibly difficult time.
Below is an expanded, in-depth report (approximately 1,000 words) on how the Spanish authorities confirmed the cause of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025:
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🧭 Background: What happened and who was involved
Date and location: In the early hours of July 3, 2025, around 00:30–00:40 CEST, Diogo Jota and his younger brother, professional footballer André Silva, were travelling along Spain’s A‑52 motorway near the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora—not far from the Portuguese border .
Reason for the journey: Jota, who had recently undergone minor lung surgery, was advised against flying. So, he and André opted to drive from Porto toward Santander, planning to board a ferry back to England to meet Liverpool’s pre-season training .
Vehicle details: They were in a high-performance Lamborghini Huracán (or Urus, per varying reports)—some sources identifying it as a Huracán Spyder .
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🚨 The official investigation: What the Guardia Civil found
1. Preliminary findings: tyre blowout during overtaking
The Spanish Civil Guard immediately pointed to a rear tyre blowout as the likely trigger. According to reports, this occurred while Jota’s car was overtaking another vehicle at speed. The sudden tyre failure caused the Lamborghini to veer off the road, flip, and catch fire .
Evidence at the scene: Burnt wreckage in the central reservation, tire skid marks along the road, and destruction of guardrails and surrounding vegetation all support this scenario .
2. No other vehicles or external interference
Investigators confirmed it was a single-vehicle crash—no other cars were involved nor could any third-party actions be linked to the accident .
3. Speed factor under review
Authorities are also examining vehicle speed as a potential exacerbating factor. The Civil Guard has said the assessment of skid marks, tyre condition, and CCTV footage will help determine how fast the vehicle was travelling at the moment of the blowout and loss of control .
Next steps: Forensic analysis, including autopsy reports and engineering assessments, is ongoing and expected to provide preliminary conclusions in the coming days .
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🛠️ Technical reconstruction of the incident
Piecing together the sequence of events based on police reports and forensic findings:
1. The Lamborghini was overtaking another vehicle on the A‑52 motorway at night.
2. A rear tyre blew out suddenly—likely under high stress from speed and maneuvering.
3. The tyre failure caused the driver to lose control, veering off into a guardrail.
4. The car flipped and landed in the central reservation.
5. The vehicle caught fire and was destroyed, fatally injuring both occupants. Fire crews later extinguished the blaze .
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📜 Official Statements and Media Coverage
A spokesperson for the Spanish Civil Guard emphasized that the tyre blowout was central to the crash, and speed assessment will be covered in the final report .
Spanish emergency services and local officials also spoke of tyre-related failure during an overtaking maneuver at high speed, leading to the car crossing the motorway median and bursting into flames .
Reuters succinctly summarized: “…the car suffered a burst tyre while overtaking, the vehicle then flipped over and ended up in the central reservation” .
Media outlets such as AP, Time, El País, and The Sun echoed this narrative, pointing to a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver, causing a single-car crash and vehicle fire .
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⚠️ Why a tyre blowout can be so dangerous
Momentary loss of control: High-speed blowouts drastically unbalance a vehicle, especially in high-performance models like Lamborghinis with stiff suspensions.
Reduced reaction options: At motorway speeds—estimated north of 120 km/h—the driver has only fractions of a second to react.
Chain reaction: Once the vehicle swerves, even small misalignments can cause it to roll, collide with barriers, and ignite.
Material vulnerability: Supercars often use performance-focused tyres that may be more susceptible to sudden failure if pressure or wear isn’t meticulously maintained.
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💔 Human impact and aftermath
Loss of lives: Both Diogo Jota, age 28, and André Silva, age 25—both thriving football talents—died instantly at the scene .
Family tragedy: Jota had married his longtime partner just 11 days earlier, with three young children. The family is now faced with an unimaginable loss .
Football community response: Tributes flowed in from clubs, teammates (including Cristiano Ronaldo and Jurgen Klopp), the Portuguese Prime Minister, UEFA, and Wimbledon (which allowed players to wear black armbands) .
Memorials and funerals: Flowers and memorabilia appeared at Anfield in Liverpool. A funeral was scheduled in Gondomar (near Porto), with a minute’s silence held at a Portugal vs. Spain Women’s Euros match .
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🕵️♂️ Investigative next steps
According to police, the investigation is ongoing with:
Detailed forensic examination of the crash site, including skids, guardrail marks, and ignition sources.
Technical checks: tyre condition, vehicle maintenance records, and telemetry data (if available).
Speed reconstruction using skid length, tyre marks, and possible video footage.
Toxicology and autopsy reports to rule out impairment or health issues.
Once these are complete, the Civil Guard will release a preliminary report, expected later this week, and a comprehensive final report will follow after autopsies and engineering analysis are fully reviewed .
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🌍 Broader implications and safety reminders
Tyre maintenance: This tragedy underlines the importance of rigorous tyre inspections—especially at motorway speeds in high-performance vehicles.
Vehicle safety: Even the most advanced sports cars are vulnerable to mechanical failure.
Route choices post-surgery: Jota was advised against flying, prompting the plan to drive and ferry. Rarely do journeys begin with tragic outcomes—but this one highlights the risks inherent in travel of any kind.
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Conclusion
Spanish authorities have confirmed that a tyre blowout—occurring during a high-speed overtaking maneuver—was the key mechanical failure that caused the fatal crash involving Diogo Jota and his brother. The Lamborghini veered off, flipped, and ignited in a devastating single-vehicle accident. No other vehicles were involved. While investigators are analyzing speed and finalizing forensic details, preliminary evidence aligns closely across police reports, eyewitness observations, and media coverage.
Their loss is a profound tragedy, amplified not only by the sudden and violent nature of the accident but also by the irreplaceable human lives lost—leaving fans, teammates, and families devastated across Portugal, England, and beyond.
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Sources used:
Police confirmation of tyre blowout while overtaking & single-vehicle nature
Vehicle overturning, fire, no third-party involvement
Ongoing speed investigation & forensic timelines
Broader narrative about travel due to surgery, funeral, tributes, and human context
Source: Fabrizio Romano, Sky News
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