LEAKED: CCTV Footage from Gas Station 27km from Diogo Jota Crash Site Reveals He Was Not Alone
In a startling development in the investigation into the tragic car crash that killed Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, leaked CCTV footage from a gas station 27 kilometers from the crash site has surfaced. The footage, obtained by Spanish investigators, reportedly shows Jota stepping out of his green Lamborghini Huracan at the station along the A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spain. Shockingly, the video reveals that Jota was not alone, raising new questions about the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident that occurred at 12:30 a.m. on a remote stretch of the highway.
The CCTV Footage
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the CCTV footage was captured at a gas station approximately 27 kilometers from the crash site in Cernadilla, Zamora. The timestamp places the event roughly 20–30 minutes before the accident, based on the distance and estimated travel time. In the grainy video, Jota is seen exiting the driver’s side of the Lamborghini Huracan, wearing a dark jacket and cap. Another individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, is visible exiting the passenger side. The second person’s presence contradicts earlier assumptions that only Jota and his brother André were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
The footage reportedly shows the two individuals briefly entering the gas station’s convenience store, possibly to purchase snacks or fuel, before returning to the car and driving off toward Santander. The video does not clarify whether this second individual remained in the car until the crash or if André Silva was also present at the time. Spanish authorities have not released the footage publicly, citing the ongoing investigation, but leaks to local media have fueled intense speculation about the unidentified person’s identity and role.
Context of the Crash and Prior Discoveries
The crash occurred when Jota’s Lamborghini Huracan veered off the A-52 motorway, flipped, and burst into flames after a suspected tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver. Both Jota, 28, and André, 25, a professional footballer for Penafiel, were pronounced dead at the scene. Spanish police initially suggested Jota was driving and possibly speeding, based on tire marks stretching 100 meters, though two Portuguese lorry drivers, José Aleixo Duarte and Jose Azevedo, disputed this, claiming the car was traveling at a “moderate” speed on a poorly maintained road.
This CCTV revelation follows two other significant finds by Jota’s family. On July 20, Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, discovered a torn letter in his jacket pocket, dated June 30, 2025, with the cryptic words, “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” written in shaky handwriting. On July 26, one of Jota’s young sons found a USB drive labeled “RJ-171” in a childhood toy box, containing a folder titled “Insurance – Audio Proof.” The folder’s last audio file was timestamped at 12:23 a.m., just seven minutes before the crash. These discoveries have deepened the mystery, suggesting Jota may have been grappling with concerns or documenting something critical in his final days.
The Mystery of the Second Individual
The identity of the second person in the CCTV footage remains undisclosed, and investigators have not confirmed whether they survived the crash or were present at the time of impact. Several theories have emerged:
A Third Passenger? The footage raises the possibility that someone else was in the car with Jota and André. If this person survived, they could provide critical testimony about the crash’s circumstances, such as the car’s speed, road conditions, or any mechanical issues. However, no reports have confirmed a survivor, and the fire’s intensity made forensic identification challenging.
A Brief Encounter? The individual may have been a friend, acquaintance, or hitchhiker who joined Jota briefly and exited the vehicle before the crash. The gas station stop could have been a drop-off point, explaining why only Jota and André were identified at the scene.
Connection to “RJ-171”? The USB’s label, “RJ-171,” could be linked to the second individual’s initials or another identifier. The “Insurance – Audio Proof” folder suggests Jota may have recorded something related to this person, possibly a conversation or evidence tied to the cryptic letter’s message.
Mechanical or External Factors? The presence of another person could shift the investigation’s focus. If the audio files or Jota’s letter hint at concerns about the car’s condition, the second individual might have knowledge of maintenance issues or external factors, such as road hazards, that contributed to the tire blowout.
Investigation Updates and Contradictions
Spanish police, led by the Guardia Civil, are preparing a final report for the Puebla de Sanabria court, focusing on speed, tire failure, and road conditions. The CCTV footage could complicate their preliminary findings, which pointed to Jota speeding based on tire marks. The lorry drivers’ accounts, describing a “calm” overtake and a “terrible” road, align with the possibility that factors beyond speed—such as poor road maintenance or a defective tire—played a role.
The gas station footage also raises questions about earlier reports. Social media posts claiming to show the crash or its aftermath have been debunked, with clips predating the accident or depicting unrelated incidents, such as a 2023 U.S. crash. However, the CCTV footage is the first verified visual evidence placing Jota near the crash site, and its leak has intensified public scrutiny.
Rute Cardoso and the Family’s Response
Rute Cardoso, 28, is grappling with this new revelation while raising her three children—Dinis, Duarte, and eight-month-old Mafalda. The discovery of the letter and USB already placed immense emotional strain on her, and the CCTV footage adds further complexity. Sources close to the family say Rute is working with legal advisors to review the audio files and now the footage, seeking answers about Jota’s final hours. She has not commented publicly, prioritizing her children’s privacy and her own grief following the funeral on July 5 in Gondomar, where Liverpool stars and Portugal teammates paid their respects.
The football community continues to rally around Rute, with Liverpool pledging ongoing support and fans advocating for Jota’s No. 20 shirt to be retired. Tributes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and global figures like LeBron James and Prince William reflect Jota’s widespread impact.
Implications and Unanswered Questions
The CCTV footage shifts the narrative of the crash, previously thought to involve only Jota and André. Key questions include:
Who was the second individual? Their identity could clarify whether they were a friend, family member, or stranger, and whether they have information about the crash.
What do the audio files reveal? The “Insurance – Audio Proof” files, particularly the one timestamped at 12:23 a.m., may contain a conversation involving the second person or details about the car’s condition.
Was the crash preventable? The letter’s cryptic message and the USB’s contents suggest Jota may have sensed a problem. The footage could prompt investigators to reexamine mechanical or external factors, especially given the lorry drivers’ claims about the road’s condition.
Why the secrecy? The family’s decision to withhold the audio files and the authorities’ reluctance to release the footage suggest sensitive information, possibly tied to legal or personal implications.
A Legacy in Limbo
Diogo Jota’s death, just 11 days after his wedding and weeks after Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph, remains a profound loss. The CCTV footage, combined with the letter and USB, paints a picture of a man who may have been documenting concerns in his final days. As investigators analyze the new evidence, the football world awaits clarity on whether the crash was a tragic accident or something more complex. For Rute and her children, these discoveries offer little solace, but they underscore Jota’s enduring legacy as a beloved husband, father, and champion whose song will echo at Anfield forever.
