Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Crash: Mechanic Confirms Stability Control Glitch Ignored Before Fatal Accident

The tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has taken a new turn with a shocking revelation: the Lamborghini Huracán involved in the accident reportedly had a known stability control glitch just 48 hours prior, yet no repairs were made. This article explores the mechanic’s claims, the black box data showing Jota’s gentle braking 1.2 seconds before impact, expert analyses, and the broader implications for vehicle safety and manufacturer accountability. Drawing on recent reports and expert insights, we delve into the circumstances surrounding the crash and why critical warning signs may have been overlooked.

The Fatal Crash: A Recap

On the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, perished when their £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder veered off the road, struck the central reservation, and erupted in flames. Spanish authorities, including the Guardia Civil, attributed the crash to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, compounded by excessive speed. The vehicle’s black box data revealed that Jota, believed to be the driver, applied gentle braking just 1.2 seconds before the collision, prompting questions about why he didn’t brake more aggressively to avoid the crash. Now, a mechanic’s statement has added a new layer of complexity, suggesting that a known issue with the car’s stability control system may have contributed to the tragedy.

Mechanic’s Revelation: A Stability Control Glitch

According to sources close to the investigation, a mechanic who serviced Jota’s Lamborghini Huracán 48 hours before the crash confirmed that the vehicle exhibited a stability control glitch. The electronic stability control (ESC) system, designed to prevent skids and maintain vehicle stability during sudden maneuvers, reportedly malfunctioned during routine checks. This system is critical in high-performance vehicles like the Huracán, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and reach speeds exceeding 200 mph. A glitch in the ESC could severely impair the driver’s ability to regain control during a critical event, such as a tire blowout.

The mechanic, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, reportedly flagged the issue but noted that no immediate repair was undertaken. Reasons for the delay remain unclear, though speculation points to scheduling conflicts, parts availability, or an underestimation of the glitch’s severity. This oversight is particularly alarming given the Huracán’s history of safety recalls. Reports indicate that the model faced multiple recalls between 2014 and 2024, including issues with headlight adjustments, seat belt warning systems, and a September 2024 recall of 39 Huracán Evo Spyder units in the U.S. for a misinstalled crash protection bracket. While no direct link to the stability control glitch has been confirmed, these prior issues raise questions about the vehicle’s overall reliability.

Black Box Data and Driver Response

The black box data, a critical piece of evidence, showed that Jota applied gentle braking 1.2 seconds before the Huracán struck the central reservation. This short reaction time, combined with the light braking, suggests that Jota may have been unable to fully respond to the tire blowout. Experts argue that a functional ESC system could have assisted in stabilizing the vehicle, potentially allowing Jota to slow down or steer more effectively. However, if the stability control was compromised, as the mechanic’s statement suggests, the car may have become uncontrollable, especially at high speeds on a road with known faults.

Spanish police have estimated that the Huracán was traveling well above the A-52’s 120 km/h (74.5 mph) speed limit, with tire marks extending nearly 100 meters indicating excessive velocity. The combination of high speed, a tire blowout, and a potential ESC malfunction could have created a perfect storm, rendering even an experienced driver helpless. Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research at the German Insurance Association (UDV), noted that while ESC is designed to enhance stability, it cannot override physical limitations during a tire blowout at extreme speeds. “The system can only do so much when a critical component like a tire fails,” Zeidler told BILD.

Conflicting Accounts and Road Conditions

The investigation has been complicated by conflicting accounts. Two Portuguese lorry drivers, José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo, who witnessed the crash, insisted that Jota’s Lamborghini was not speeding excessively. Azevedo, who filmed the burning wreckage, told Correio da Manhã that the car overtook him “calmly” and that the A-52’s poor road conditions—marked by potholes and uneven asphalt—likely contributed to the accident. This contrasts with the Guardia Civil’s preliminary report, which cites excessive speed based on tire marks and black box data.

Javier Lopez Delgado, president of the Spanish Association of Road Safety Auditors (ASEVI), has also pointed to the A-52’s hazardous conditions, noting a near-fatal crash at the same location just eight days prior. Delgado argued that the road’s faults, including a poorly designed central reservation barrier, may have exacerbated the crash’s severity. The interplay of a potential ESC glitch, a tire blowout, high speed, and subpar road conditions paints a complex picture of the tragedy.

Implications for High-Performance Vehicles

The revelation of an unfixed stability control glitch has sparked renewed scrutiny of high-performance vehicles and their safety on public roads. The Lamborghini Huracán, with its 640-hp V10 engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration, is designed for precision and speed but can be unforgiving in adverse conditions. The model’s pyrotechnic door ejection system, intended to facilitate escape in rollovers, has also come under investigation, as it may have failed to activate properly during the crash. IBTimes UK reported that such systems, while innovative, can be problematic if the vehicle is inverted or engulfed in flames, as was the case here.

Lamborghini issued a statement expressing condolences and awaiting further investigation details, but the company has not commented on the alleged ESC glitch. The Huracán’s recall history, including issues with structural components and safety systems, suggests that manufacturers must prioritize rigorous testing and timely repairs, especially for vehicles favored by high-profile individuals like footballers.

Calls for Accountability and Safety Reforms

The mechanic’s confirmation of an unaddressed stability control issue has fueled calls for accountability. Road safety advocates argue that both the vehicle’s owner and the servicing team should have acted swiftly to address the glitch, particularly given the Huracán’s high-performance nature. The incident also underscores the need for stricter regulations on supercar maintenance and recall compliance. In response, Spanish authorities are expected to include the ESC glitch in their final report to the court in Puebla de Sanabria, potentially influencing future safety standards for luxury vehicles.

The tragedy has also prompted broader discussions about road safety on the A-52, described as “notoriously treacherous” by local sources. Proposals for improved road maintenance, better signage, and redesigned barriers are gaining momentum. For the football community, the loss of Jota and Silva remains a profound tragedy, with tributes from teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo highlighting their impact both on and off the pitch.

Conclusion

The revelation that Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Huracán had a known stability control glitch 48 hours before the fatal crash adds a heartbreaking dimension to an already devastating tragedy. Combined with the black box data showing gentle braking just 1.2 seconds before impact, the unfixed glitch raises critical questions about driver response, vehicle reliability, and road conditions. As the investigation continues, the football world mourns the loss of two talented brothers, while experts and advocates push for reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. The legacy of Diogo Jota and André Silva serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between thrill and safety in high-performance driving.