NEVER RELEASED UNTIL NOW: Dashcam From a Passing Van Captures the First Spark Under Diogo Jota’s Car — Frame-by-Frame Breakdown Raises New Questions
The fire didn’t start after the crash. It may have started during the final turn.
NEVER RELEASED UNTIL NOW: Dashcam From Passing Van Captures First Spark Under Diogo Jota’s Car — Frame-by-Frame Breakdown Raises New Questions
The tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, near Zamora, Spain, has taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of previously unreleased dashcam footage from a passing van. This footage, obtained by Spanish outlet El País and analyzed by independent investigators, captures what appears to be the first spark under Jota’s Lamborghini Huracán moments before the fatal crash. Contrary to initial reports that the fire started after the vehicle veered off the A-52 highway and crashed, a frame-by-frame breakdown suggests the blaze may have ignited during the final turn, raising new questions about the sequence of events and the cause of the tragedy. This article examines the dashcam evidence, the implications of the fire’s origin, and the ongoing investigation into the accident that shocked the football world.
The Dashcam Footage: A Critical New Perspective
The dashcam footage, recorded by a van traveling in the opposite direction on the A-52 near Cernadilla, Zamora, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, provides a chilling glimpse into the moments before the crash. The video, which surfaced on July 9, 2025, shows Jota’s light-green Lamborghini Huracán overtaking a truck at high speed. According to a frame-by-frame analysis conducted by forensic experts for El País, a small but distinct spark is visible beneath the vehicle’s undercarriage as it navigates a slight curve in the road, just seconds before it veers off the highway and bursts into flames.
The footage contradicts earlier statements from the Spanish Civil Guard, which attributed the fire to the impact of the crash following a tire blowout. The analysis suggests that the spark—potentially caused by a mechanical failure, debris on the road, or contact between the car’s low undercarriage and the pavement—may have ignited flammable material, such as fuel or oil, during the turn. This revelation shifts the narrative, indicating that the fire may have been a contributing factor to the loss of control, rather than a consequence of the crash itself.
Frame-by-Frame Breakdown
The dashcam video, lasting approximately 15 seconds, captures the critical moments leading up to the accident. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key frames, as analyzed by forensic experts:
00:00–00:05: The Lamborghini appears in the distance, overtaking a truck on the A-52 highway. The vehicle is moving at a high speed, estimated by investigators to be significantly above the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit, consistent with police reports suggesting Jota was driving “way in excess” of the limit. The road appears clear, with no visible obstacles.
00:06–00:08: As the Lamborghini navigates a gentle left curve, a faint spark is visible beneath the car’s rear left side. Experts suggest this could indicate contact with the road surface, possibly due to the car’s low ground clearance, or a mechanical issue, such as a failing wheel bearing or exhaust component.
00:09–00:11: The spark intensifies briefly, and the vehicle begins to show signs of instability, with a slight swerve to the right. This coincides with the suspected tire blowout, as evidenced by skid marks later found at the scene.
00:12–00:15: The Lamborghini veers sharply off the road, crosses the central reservation, and rolls, erupting into a fireball. The dashcam captures the initial flames, which appear to originate from the rear of the vehicle, supporting the theory that the fire began before the crash.
The footage, described as “disturbing” by El País, has not been widely released to the public out of respect for the victims’ families but has been provided to investigators and shared with select media outlets for analysis. Posts on X have referenced the video, with some users speculating about its implications, though no verified clips have been shared publicly due to their graphic nature.
New Questions and Investigative Implications
The dashcam evidence raises several critical questions about the crash:
What Caused the Initial Spark? The appearance of a spark before the tire blowout suggests a potential mechanical issue with the Lamborghini Huracán. Experts are exploring whether a fault in the vehicle’s exhaust system, suspension, or undercarriage could have caused the spark, possibly igniting fuel or oil. Alternatively, debris on the road or contact with the pavement due to high speed on a low-clearance supercar could be responsible.
Did the Fire Contribute to the Loss of Control? If the fire began during the turn, it may have compromised the vehicle’s stability, either by distracting Jota, who police believe was driving, or by damaging critical components like the tires or suspension. This challenges the initial hypothesis that the tire blowout alone caused the crash.
Was the Vehicle’s Condition a Factor? The Lamborghini Huracán, a high-performance supercar, is designed for speed but is susceptible to damage at high velocities, especially on uneven roads. Investigators are now examining the vehicle’s maintenance history and whether its low ground clearance played a role in the spark and subsequent fire.
Why Did Jota Accelerate? As reported previously, Jota’s final text to his wife, Rute Cardoso, sent 12 minutes before the crash, suggested a routine journey with no urgency. The decision to overtake at high speed, as captured in the footage, remains unexplained, prompting speculation about external factors like road conditions or time pressure.
The Spanish Civil Guard has incorporated the dashcam footage into its ongoing judicial investigation, with a full report expected within days. The emergence of this evidence has also prompted renewed scrutiny of the initial autopsy, which attributed the deaths to injuries sustained in the crash and fire. Jota’s mother, Isabel Silva, who requested a second autopsy citing an unsettling dream her son shared, may find further justification for her concerns as investigators reassess the sequence of events.
The Human Toll and Ongoing Grief
The crash occurred just 11 days after Jota married Rute Cardoso, his childhood sweetheart, in Porto on June 22, 2025. The couple, who had three young children, including a newborn, were still basking in the joy of their wedding when tragedy struck. Rute’s collapse while identifying Jota’s body, clutching his wedding band, and Isabel’s plea for a second autopsy underscore the family’s profound grief and search for answers. The dashcam footage, while critical to the investigation, adds a layer of pain for the family, as it brings the final moments of Jota and André into stark focus.
The football community continues to mourn, with tributes from Liverpool FC, where Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, and the Portuguese Football Federation, which called the brothers’ deaths “irreparable losses.” Fans have left flowers and scarves at Anfield, and players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk have honored Jota’s memory. The funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, drew teammates, dignitaries, and hundreds of mourners, reflecting the brothers’ impact both on and off the pitch.
The Path Forward
The dashcam footage has shifted the narrative surrounding the crash, suggesting that the fire may have played a more significant role than previously thought. As investigators analyze the video alongside skid marks, vehicle data, and forensic evidence, the focus is on determining whether a mechanical failure, road conditions, or driver error contributed to the spark and subsequent loss of control. The findings could have implications for the Lamborghini Huracán’s design, road safety regulations, and the family’s pursuit of closure.
For Rute Cardoso, Isabel Silva, and the football world, the footage is a painful reminder of a tragedy that cut short the lives of two talented brothers. As Liverpool prepares to honor Jota with lasting tributes, including a mural at Anfield, the dashcam evidence ensures that the quest for truth continues, even as the grief remains raw. The spark captured in those fleeting frames may hold the key to understanding why a routine journey ended in disaster, leaving a legacy of loss and unanswered questions.
