What Really Happened To Diogo Jota? Eyewitness Says Footballer Was 'Relaxed' While Driving—Not Speeding

A fresh eyewitness account has emerged contradicting Spanish police findings in the fatal motorway crash that claimed the lives of Portuguese footballers Diogo Jota and André Silva, potentially reshaping the investigation into the 3rd July tragedy.

Diogo Jota (28) and his brother André Silva (25) tragically lost their lives when the Lamborghini Urus they were travelling in crashed and burst into flames on the A‑52 motorway near Zamora in Spain.

While Spanish authorities are still piecing together the details, a new eyewitness account suggests that the brothers were not speeding and appeared 'relaxed' shortly before the disaster struck.

Lorry Driver Backs Up No-Speeding Claim

Lorry driver José Aleixo Duarte, who filmed the smoking wreckage, told Correio da Manha that he was overtaken by the brothers' car about five minutes before the fatal crash.

He stated: 'The family has my word that they weren't speeding. It's a dirt road, very dark, and I could see the make and colour of the car when they passed me. They were driving very calmly.'

Duarte also mentioned another motorist who witnessed the car drifting before the blaze, offering potentially crucial evidence as the investigation continues.

Police Maintain Speed May Have Played a Role

Despite the eyewitness testimony, the Spanish Civil Guard maintained that speeding remains a key factor.

According to AP News, officers now believe Jota was exceeding the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit at the time of the crash, after a suspected tyre blowout caused the vehicle to spin off the road and ignite.

Sky News reports that: 'All the evidence so far shows... significantly exceeding the speed limit for the highway,' Spanish police said, adding that experts are currently analysing tyre marks.

Tyre Blowout: The Tipping Point

Spanish media, including El País, confirmed that the tyre burst was the immediate cause of the crash, causing the Lamborghini to swerve into a guardrail and explode due to ruptured fuel tanks. The police believe this occurred while Jota was overtaking another vehicle.

Driver Identity and Forensic Analysis

Police have now confidently stated that Jota was behind the wheel, based on forensic analysis of the vehicle. 'All the tests carried out for the moment point to the fact that the driver of the vehicle was Diogo Jota,' said a spokesperson for the Civil Guard. An expert report, which includes tyre-tread analysis and driver positioning evidence, is due to be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court in the coming days.

The Two Sides of the Story

What More Are Investigators Looking At?

The Civil Guard's expert report is expected to include:

• Tyre tread and road debris analysis to confirm if speed was a factor
• Crash reconstruction, using vehicle damage and guardrail marks
• Data from the Lamborghini's onboard systems, if salvageable

Mourning in Football and Beyond

Jota had recently returned to Portugal following lung surgery and was reportedly driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to the UK for pre-season with Liverpool FC. His wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he had married just 11 days earlier, and their three children survive him.

Ceremonies held in Portugal have seen teammates, Portuguese players, Oasis, Sir Keir Starmer, and Cristiano Ronaldo among those paying tribute.

This case hinges on reconciling the calm account of the onlooker with forensic evidence suggesting high-speed impact.

The conflicting testimony has intensified scrutiny of the official investigation, with Spanish authorities now facing pressure to reconcile eyewitness observations with forensic evidence, including tyre marks and crash reconstruction analysis.

The case has captivated the football world, particularly as Jota was travelling to rejoin Liverpool for pre-season training just eleven days after marrying his wife Rute Cardoso, leaving behind three children and a grieving sporting community awaiting definitive answers.