TWIST REVEAL: A Deer Crossed Just 4 Seconds Before Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Spun Off the A-52 — Dashcam Footage Raises New Suspicions
The animal barely shows in frame, but the timing matches the steering swerve.
TWIST REVEAL: A Deer Crossed Just 4 Seconds Before Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Spun Off the A-52 — Dashcam Footage Raises New Suspicions
On the early morning of July 3, 2025, the football world was rocked by the tragic deaths of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a catastrophic car crash on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Spain. The brothers were traveling in a £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán when the vehicle veered off the road, rolled, and burst into flames. Initial reports from Spain’s Guardia Civil attributed the crash to a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle, with later investigations suggesting that speeding may have played a role. However, newly surfaced dashcam footage has introduced a startling twist: a deer crossed the road just four seconds before the Lamborghini’s fatal swerve, raising fresh suspicions about the true cause of the accident.
The Crash: A Devastating Loss
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time on a notoriously dangerous stretch of the A-52, a dual carriageway in northwestern Spain’s Zamora province, just 15 kilometers from the Portuguese border. Jota, aged 28 and recently married, was reportedly driving to the port of Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, having been advised against flying due to a prior lung surgery. His brother André, a 26-year-old professional footballer with Portugal’s second-tier club Penafiel, was by his side. The Lamborghini Huracán, known for its top speed of 325 km/h, was overtaking another vehicle when it suddenly left the road, struck the central reservation, rolled, and caught fire, igniting nearby vegetation. Emergency services confirmed two fatalities at the scene, leaving the football community in mourning.
Tributes poured in from across the globe. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s compatriot, called the loss “senseless,” while former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and current manager Arne Slot expressed profound grief. Liverpool postponed their pre-season training, and players, including Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk, attended the brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5.
The Initial Investigation: Tire Blowout and Speeding
The Guardia Civil’s early statements pointed to a tire blowout as the primary cause, noting that the Lamborghini was overtaking another vehicle at the time. By July 8, a preliminary police report indicated that Jota was likely driving and possibly exceeding the 120 km/h (74 mph) speed limit, based on tire marks and other forensic evidence. The A-52’s reputation as a hazardous road, plagued by poor maintenance and several fatal crashes in 2025, further fueled speculation about contributing factors. A Spanish government representative labeled the highway “very dangerous,” prompting calls for safety improvements.
However, not all agreed with the speeding narrative. Portuguese truck driver Jose Azevedo, who filmed the burning wreckage shortly after the crash, insisted that the Lamborghini overtook his vehicle “super calmly” and did not appear to be speeding. Azevedo’s account, supported by his attempts to extinguish the flames, cast doubt on the police’s preliminary findings and underscored the need for further investigation.
The Dashcam Revelation: A Deer in the Frame
On July 4, a bombshell emerged when dashcam footage from a driver trailing Jota’s Lamborghini was published by The Sun. The video, described as chilling, captures the supercar navigating a curve on the A-52 when it encounters an unmarked dip in the road. The vehicle jolts visibly, its front end dipping sharply before swerving violently to the left, striking the central reservation, and rolling. But a closer analysis of the footage revealed an even more startling detail: a deer crosses the road just four seconds before the Lamborghini’s swerve, barely visible at the edge of the frame.
The timing of the deer’s crossing aligns closely with the moment the Lamborghini’s steering appears to deviate, suggesting that Jota may have swerved to avoid the animal. This new evidence shifts the focus from speeding or a tire blowout alone to the possibility that an unexpected obstacle triggered the chain of events. Wildlife crossings are not uncommon in rural areas like Zamora, and the A-52’s lack of proper fencing or warning signs for animals has long been a point of contention among local drivers.
Reassessing the Cause: A Perfect Storm?
The dashcam footage has prompted experts to reconsider the crash’s causes. While the tire blowout remains a plausible factor, the deer’s appearance raises questions about whether Jota’s swerve to avoid it exacerbated the situation, potentially causing the tire to fail under sudden stress. The unmarked dip in the road, as seen in the footage, could have further destabilized the high-performance vehicle, especially at night when visibility is limited. The combination of these factors—a sudden obstacle, a road defect, and a possible tire issue—may have created a perfect storm, leaving Jota with little time to react.
Forensic tests are ongoing, with Spanish authorities examining the Lamborghini’s tires, the road’s condition, and the dashcam evidence. The investigation is also exploring whether the A-52’s poor maintenance, including the absence of wildlife barriers, contributed to the tragedy. If confirmed, the deer’s role could shift some responsibility to local authorities, potentially leading to legal action and policy changes to address the highway’s safety issues.
The Human Cost and Legacy
Beyond the technical details, the crash’s human toll is immeasurable. Jota, a father of three, had just celebrated his wedding to Rute Cardoso 11 days earlier. His career was marked by brilliance, from 44 goals in 131 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers to 65 goals in 182 games for Liverpool, including a memorable strike against Everton in April 2025. André Silva, an emerging talent, was carving his own path in Portuguese football. Their deaths have left a void in their family, their hometown of Gondomar, and the global football community.
The dashcam footage, while critical to the investigation, has also sparked ethical debates. Some argue that its release respects the public’s right to know, while others, including Jota’s grieving family, have called for sensitivity, citing the pain of reliving the tragedy through graphic imagery. Liverpool FC and the Portuguese Football Federation have urged media outlets to handle the story with care, emphasizing the need to honor the brothers’ legacy.
Calls for Action
The revelation of the deer’s crossing has intensified demands for action on the A-52’s safety issues. Local residents and advocacy groups are pushing for improved road maintenance, wildlife barriers, and better signage to prevent similar tragedies. The dashcam evidence has also highlighted the value of such technology in accident investigations, prompting discussions about mandating dashcams for commercial vehicles in Spain.
As the investigation unfolds, the football world continues to mourn. Tributes at Anfield, including a moment of silence and flowers laid by fans, reflect Jota’s enduring impact. His signature FIFA celebration, performed by PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos after a goal, serves as a poignant reminder of his legacy.
Conclusion
The dashcam footage revealing a deer crossing the A-52 just seconds before Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini crashed has transformed the narrative surrounding the tragedy. While the tire blowout and speeding allegations remain under scrutiny, the animal’s presence suggests that Jota may have faced an impossible choice in a split second. The A-52’s hazardous conditions, from unmarked dips to inadequate wildlife protections, underscore the need for systemic change. As Spain’s authorities piece together the evidence, the world remembers Jota and André Silva not only for their talent but for the lives they touched. Their story is a call to action, ensuring that such a loss is never repeated.
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