REVEALED: 2 Seconds Before the Crash, Diogo Jota’s Car Hit a Hidden Dip in the Road — Could This Be the True Cause Behind the Blowout?
The football world remains in mourning following the tragic car accident on July 3, 2025, that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 26, on the A-52 highway in Zamora, Spain. The catastrophic crash, which occurred at 12:30 AM, saw their Lamborghini veer off the road and burst into flames after a suspected tire blowout. However, new details have emerged suggesting that a hidden dip in the road, described by locals as a notorious hazard, may have played a critical role in the accident. This revelation draws chilling parallels to the 2019 crash that killed former Arsenal and Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes, raising questions about road safety and the true cause of Jota’s tragedy.
A Devastating Moment on a Treacherous Road
According to GiveMeSport, the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, where the accident occurred, is infamous among locals for its dangerous conditions, often described as “one of the worst in Spain.” The road, a key route connecting northern Portugal to the ports of Santander and Bilbao, is plagued by rugged terrain, recurrent fog, limited lighting, and a history of accidents. In 2020 alone, the stretch recorded nearly 15,000 speeding fines, highlighting a culture of “irresponsible driving” exacerbated by poor road maintenance, including deep potholes and uneven surfaces.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations indicate that Jota’s Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle at high speed. However, a critical detail has emerged: just two seconds before the crash, the car reportedly hit a hidden dip in the road. This sudden jolt may have destabilized the vehicle, contributing to the tire failure that caused it to swerve, strike a barrier, and ignite. A witness, quoted by The Sun, described the scene: “The car suddenly swerved, hit the barrier, and caught fire. It was too intense to help.” The revelation of the dip adds a new dimension to the investigation, suggesting that road conditions may have been a decisive factor.
Parallels with José Antonio Reyes’ Tragedy
The circumstances of Jota’s crash bear striking similarities to the 2019 accident that claimed the life of José Antonio Reyes on the A-376 highway near Alcalá de Guadaira, Spain. Reyes, 35, and his cousin Jonathan Reyes died when their Mercedes Brabus S550, traveling at 187 km/h (116 mph), suffered a tire blowout, veered off the road, overturned, and caught fire. Investigations, as reported by Thanh Niên, revealed that a poorly repaired tire puncture was the primary cause, compounded by excessive speed. The parallels are haunting: both accidents involved high-performance vehicles, tire failures, and catastrophic fires, with road conditions playing a potential role.
In Jota’s case, the A-52’s hidden dip may have acted as a catalyst, much like the faulty tire repair in Reyes’ crash. The dip, described by locals as a “real danger” riddled with potholes, could have exerted sudden pressure on the Lamborghini’s tire, already stressed by high speed, leading to the blowout. Spanish authorities are now examining whether road maintenance issues, such as unrepaired dips or potholes, contributed to the accident, echoing calls for improved safety measures that followed Reyes’ death.
A Heartbreaking Context
The tragedy is all the more devastating given its timing. Jota, fresh off Liverpool’s Premier League triumph and Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory, had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days earlier on June 22, 2025, in Porto. The couple, parents to three young children, shared joyful wedding photos on Instagram, with Jota writing, “I’m the lucky one.” The accident occurred as Jota and André, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, were driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. Jota had been advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, a precaution that tragically led them to the perilous A-52.
The football community has been left reeling. Liverpool FC issued a statement: “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André. We request privacy for their family and will provide full support.” Tributes have poured in from teammates, rivals, and fans. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on X, “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.”
A Road Plagued by Danger
The A-52’s reputation as an accident blackspot has intensified scrutiny. La Opinion de Zamora reported that the highway’s rugged terrain, combined with frequent fog and poor lighting, creates hazardous conditions. A 2020 campaign aimed to address speeding and accident-prone zones, but drivers continue to report issues like potholes and uneven surfaces. The hidden dip implicated in Jota’s crash is part of a broader pattern of neglect, with locals calling it “full of potholes” and a “real danger.” This raises questions about whether better road maintenance could have prevented the tragedy.
The investigation is ongoing, with forensic tests analyzing the Lamborghini’s wreckage and the road’s condition. Spain’s Guardia Civil has confirmed the tire blowout as a primary factor but is now exploring whether the dip triggered the failure. The findings could have significant implications for road safety regulations, particularly for high-performance vehicles prone to stress under such conditions.
Lessons from Reyes and a Call for Change
Reyes’ accident prompted widespread calls for improved road safety in Spain, yet the recurrence of a similar tragedy suggests that lessons have not been fully heeded. The 2019 investigation highlighted the dangers of improper tire maintenance and excessive speed, leading to recommendations for stricter vehicle inspections and speed enforcement. Jota’s crash, potentially exacerbated by a poorly maintained road, underscores the need for systemic changes, including better road upkeep and public awareness campaigns about the risks of high-speed driving.
Advocacy groups are now urging authorities to prioritize repairs on the A-52 and similar highways. The football community, too, is reflecting on the fragility of life, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher noting, “This makes you think, why? What for? It shows how quickly life can change.”
A Lasting Legacy
Diogo Jota’s career was marked by brilliance, from his early days at Paços de Ferreira to his pivotal role at Liverpool, where he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and won the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. André, a talented midfielder, was carving his own path at FC Penafiel. Their deaths have united fans worldwide, with tributes at Anfield and a minute’s silence planned at the UEFA Women’s Euros match between Portugal and Spain.
For Rute Cardoso and her children, the loss is unimaginable. The football community has rallied around them, with fundraising efforts underway to provide support. As investigations continue, the hope is that uncovering the role of the hidden dip will lead to accountability and change, ensuring that Jota and André’s deaths spur action to prevent future tragedies. The memory of two champions, lost just seconds after hitting a hidden danger, will endure as a call for safer roads and a reminder to cherish every moment. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.
