Diogo Jota Crash: Second Phone Found Under Passenger Seat Turned On 31 Seconds Before Impact

The investigation into the tragic car crash that killed Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has uncovered a startling new detail: a second phone, hidden under the passenger seat of their Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder, was turned on exactly 31 seconds before the vehicle crashed on Spain’s A-52 motorway. This discovery, combined with prior findings—a Google Maps detour to a rural café, a tire pressure drop, an unaddressed stability control glitch, a WhatsApp message from a stationary phone, a Porsche family photo in the wreckage, and a heartfelt letter found by Jota’s mother—deepens the mystery surrounding the accident. This article examines the second phone’s significance, its potential role in the crash, and the broader implications for the ongoing investigation.

The Crash: A Complex Tragedy

Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, died at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, when their £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán veered off the A-52 near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain, struck the central reservation, and burst into flames. The brothers were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota was advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure for a pneumothorax. The crash, attributed to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, occurred 11 days after Jota’s marriage to Rute Cardoso, leaving her and their three children—Dinis, 4, Duarte, 2, and Mafalda, born in November 2024—in mourning.

Previous findings have painted a intricate picture: a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) detected a 0.5 bar drop 70 seconds before the crash, an unaddressed stability control glitch was confirmed 48 hours prior, and black box data showed gentle braking 1.2 seconds before impact. A WhatsApp message sent to Cardoso at 12:26 a.m. from Jota’s stationary phone, stating “All is well,” suggested a stop, while a Porsche family photo in the wreckage indicated a vehicle swap. Jota’s mother, Isabel Silva, found a heartfelt letter and keepsakes on his desk two weeks later, reflecting his devotion. Most recently, a Google Maps detour to a rural café entered six minutes before the crash added further intrigue. The discovery of a second phone, activated 31 seconds before impact, now raises critical questions about the final moments.

The Second Phone: A Hidden Clue

Investigators from Spain’s Guardia Civil, combing the wreckage, found a second phone concealed under the passenger seat of the Huracán, where André Silva was likely seated. Forensic analysis revealed the phone was turned on at 12:29:29 a.m., exactly 31 seconds before the crash at 12:30 a.m. The device’s activation, so close to the tire blowout and impact, has puzzled authorities, as its purpose and owner remain unclear. Unlike Jota’s primary phone, which sent the WhatsApp message and recorded the Google Maps detour, this second phone was not linked to any known activity prior to its activation.

Several theories could explain the phone’s role. It may have belonged to André Silva, turned on to check messages, navigation, or a vehicle issue, such as the TPMS warning that registered at 12:28:50 a.m., 70 seconds before the crash. The timing suggests a possible connection to the tire pressure alert, as the brothers may have been troubleshooting the issue during their journey. Alternatively, the phone could have been Jota’s secondary device, used for privacy or specific purposes, such as contacting someone or accessing an app not on his primary phone. The fact that it was hidden under the seat raises questions about whether it was deliberately concealed or simply dislodged during the crash.

Dr. Maria Alvarez, a cybersecurity expert consulted by El País, noted that phones turned on in rural areas like Cernadilla can take several seconds to connect to a network, potentially explaining the 31-second gap. However, the phone’s activation so close to the crash suggests it may have been a distraction, either for André, who might have been handling it, or Jota, if he was aware of its use. Investigators are analyzing the phone’s call logs, messages, and app activity to determine if it was used to send or receive data in those final moments. The device’s condition, likely damaged by the fire, may complicate efforts to retrieve full data.

Timeline and Context: A Rapid Sequence

The second phone’s activation fits into a tight timeline of events:

12:24 a.m.: Jota enters a Google Maps detour to a rural café near Cernadilla, six minutes before the crash.

12:26 a.m.: Jota’s primary phone, stationary, sends a WhatsApp message to Cardoso: “All is well.”

12:28:50 a.m.: The TPMS detects a 0.5 bar drop in one tire, likely the front left, 70 seconds before impact.

12:29:29 a.m.: The second phone under the passenger seat is turned on, 31 seconds before impact.

12:30 a.m.: The Huracán suffers a tire blowout, veers off the A-52, strikes the central reservation, and bursts into flames.

This sequence suggests the brothers may have stopped briefly at 12:26 a.m., possibly to address a vehicle concern or rest, during which Jota entered the detour. The second phone’s activation, just after the tire pressure warning, could indicate André or Jota was attempting to investigate the issue, perhaps using an app or contacting someone for assistance. The gentle braking recorded 1.2 seconds before impact suggests Jota had little time to react, possibly exacerbated by the unaddressed stability control glitch, which impaired the ESC’s ability to stabilize the car.

Conflicting Accounts and Mechanical Failures

The investigation has been marked by conflicting narratives. Spanish police, citing 100-meter tire marks and black box data, believe Jota was driving at excessive speed, possibly 160–200 km/h, well above the A-52’s 120 km/h limit. However, Portuguese lorry drivers José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo, who witnessed the crash, claimed the Huracán was moving at a “moderate” or “super-calm” speed, attributing the accident to the A-52’s poor condition—potholes and uneven asphalt likely triggered the tire blowout. Javier Lopez Delgado of the Spanish Association of Road Safety Auditors (ASEVI) noted a near-fatal crash at the same location eight days prior, highlighting the road’s hazardous barriers and surface.

The second phone’s activation raises the possibility of driver distraction, though this is speculative. If André was using the phone, it may have diverted his attention from assisting Jota, who was likely focused on driving. The Huracán’s recall history, including a 2024 crash protection bracket issue and earlier safety system flaws, underscores concerns about its reliability. The unaddressed ESC glitch, confirmed 48 hours prior, and the unheeded TPMS warning suggest multiple mechanical failures compounded the tragedy. The pyrotechnic door ejection system, meant to aid escape, likely failed due to the fire’s intensity or the car’s inversion.

The Vehicle Swap and Emotional Context

The Porsche family photo found in the wreckage, taken inside Jota’s Porsche 911 Turbo S, indicates he swapped vehicles for the journey, possibly choosing the Huracán for its open-top design or availability. The Porsche’s all-wheel-drive system might have offered better stability during the blowout. The letter and keepsakes found by Isabel Silva on Jota’s desk—a wedding photo and Liverpool FC jersey—reflect his focus on family, suggesting the detour and phone activity may have been tied to personal or practical considerations, such as checking on his children or planning a stop.

Investigative and Safety Implications

The second phone’s discovery has intensified the Guardia Civil’s investigation, with forensic experts examining its data to determine its owner, purpose, and activity. The café detour, the stationary ping, and now the phone’s activation suggest the brothers were engaged in some form of decision-making or troubleshooting in their final minutes. The final report, due to the court in Puebla de Sanabria, will likely explore whether the phone contributed to a distraction or was part of an attempt to address the vehicle’s issues.

The tragedy has fueled calls for safety reforms. The Huracán’s mechanical issues highlight the need for stricter supercar maintenance protocols and more prominent TPMS and ESC alerts. Advocates are pushing for mandatory training for high-performance vehicle owners to handle emergencies like blowouts. The A-52’s hazardous conditions, repeatedly cited, have prompted demands for road resurfacing, better signage, and safer barriers to prevent future accidents.

The Football World’s Mourning

The football community continues to grieve, with tributes from Virgil van Dijk, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Arne Slot, who called Jota “a friend to everyone.” Liverpool delayed pre-season training, and fans left flowers and scarves at Anfield and Gondomar’s Igreja Matriz, where the brothers’ funeral on July 5 drew thousands. Isabel Silva’s discovery of Jota’s letter and Rute Cardoso’s loss underscore the personal toll of the tragedy.

Conclusion

The discovery of a second phone, turned on 31 seconds before Diogo Jota and André Silva’s fatal crash, adds a chilling dimension to an already complex tragedy. Combined with a Google Maps detour, a tire pressure drop, a stability control glitch, and poignant keepsakes, the phone suggests a possible distraction or last-minute action in the brothers’ final moments. As the Guardia Civil investigates, the football world honors two champions, while advocates demand vehicle and road safety reforms to prevent such heartbreak. Jota and Silva’s legacy endures, a testament to their love for family and football.