GPS Data Shows 127 km/h: Why the Spanish Police’s High-Speed Narrative Persists
The tragic crash that claimed the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has sparked intense debate over the cause. Spanish police, via the Guardia Civil, have maintained that Jota, likely driving the Lamborghini Huracán, was speeding excessively, citing forensic evidence like tire marks and skid patterns. However, GPS data from the car, obtained by investigators and reported by The Athletic, indicates the vehicle was traveling at 127 km/h (79 mph)—just 7 km/h over the A-52’s 120 km/h limit. This revelation raises a critical question: why are authorities pushing a high-speed crash narrative when the data suggests otherwise? This article examines the GPS evidence, the police’s stance, and the implications of this discrepancy.
The Police Narrative: Speed as the Culprit
The Guardia Civil’s initial findings, detailed by The Guardian and CNN, emphasized “a possible high excess of speed” based on a 50-meter skid mark and tire tread analysis. The police suggested Jota’s Lamborghini was traveling “significantly” above the 120 km/h limit when a tire blowout caused it to veer off the A-52, crash, and burst into flames. This narrative gained traction due to the car’s high-performance capabilities and Jota’s public profile, with outlets like Sky News reporting the crash as “a possible speeding incident.” The police’s focus on speed has shaped public perception, casting Jota as a reckless driver.
Yet, the GPS data complicates this story. The Athletic reported that the Lamborghini’s onboard GPS logged a speed of 127 km/h at the time of the blowout, a figure far lower than the “high excess” implied by police. This speed, while above the limit, is not uncommon on highways and doesn’t align with the reckless driving narrative. The discrepancy between the GPS data and the police’s claims suggests either a misinterpretation of forensic evidence or an agenda to emphasize speed over other factors.
Eyewitness Accounts and Road Conditions
The GPS data aligns with eyewitness testimonies that challenge the speeding narrative. Portuguese truck driver José Azevedo, who filmed the crash aftermath, told Metro News that Jota’s car overtook him “super calmly” and was not speeding. Another driver, José Aleixo Duarte, told Marca the car passed at a “moderate speed” minutes before the crash. Both drivers criticized the A-52’s condition, with Duarte calling it a “dark road” in a “bad state.” Road expert Javier Lopez Delgado, quoted in Daily Mail, noted the highway’s “many faults,” citing a near-fatal crash at the same spot days earlier. These accounts suggest the tire blowout and road conditions, not excessive speed, were critical factors.
The GPS data supports this perspective. At 127 km/h, the Lamborghini was traveling faster than the limit but within a range manageable for a car of its caliber. A tire blowout at this speed could still cause a catastrophic loss of control, especially on a poorly maintained road. The police’s focus on speed, despite the GPS evidence, may reflect a tendency to blame driver error rather than infrastructure—a common issue in accident investigations.
Why Push the High-Speed Narrative?
Several factors may explain the police’s emphasis on speed. First, forensic evidence like skid marks is open to interpretation, and high-performance cars often invite assumptions of reckless driving. The Guardia Civil’s statement, as reported by ABC News, avoids specifying a speed, relying on vague terms like “high excess.” This allows flexibility but risks exaggeration, especially without public disclosure of the GPS data. Second, the A-52’s history of accidents, as noted in Liverpool.com, may pressure authorities to deflect blame from road maintenance to driver behavior, avoiding scrutiny of public infrastructure.
The media’s role in amplifying the speeding narrative is also significant. Headlines from ESPN and The Independent focused on police claims, overshadowing eyewitness accounts and the GPS data. Posts on X, such as @CNNnews18’s report of Azevedo’s testimony, have tried to counter this, but the official narrative dominates. The police’s reluctance to highlight the 127 km/h figure may stem from a desire to maintain a straightforward explanation, even if it oversimplifies the truth.
Implications for the Investigation
The GPS data’s revelation demands a reevaluation of the crash’s cause. If Jota was driving at 127 km/h, the focus should shift to why the tire blew out—whether due to road hazards, a manufacturing defect, or another issue. The A-52’s condition and the Lamborghini’s maintenance history warrant scrutiny. For Jota’s family, including his wife Rute Cardoso and three children, the truth is personal. The speeding narrative risks tarnishing Jota’s legacy as a dedicated athlete and family man, mourned by figures like Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo. A transparent investigation, incorporating the GPS data, is essential for justice.
Sources: The Athletic, The Guardian, CNN, Metro News, Marca, Daily Mail, ABC News, ESPN, The Independent, Sky News, Liverpool.com Posts on X
