UNREPORTED: Jota’s Car Overtakes at 85 mph — Driver Behind Saw It ‘Swerve for No Reason’
The fatal crash that claimed Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, on Spain’s A-52 highway has been pinned on speeding by Spanish police, who cite a tire blowout as the trigger. However, an unreported account from a driver overtaken by Jota’s Lamborghini Huracán at 85 mph (137 km/h) reveals the car “swerved for no reason” moments before the crash. This testimony, shared via Portuguese media, challenges the official narrative and raises questions about what caused the tragedy. This article delves into the driver’s account, its implications, and why it’s been overlooked.
The Official Story: Speeding and a Blowout
The Guardia Civil, per ABC News and The Independent, reported Jota was driving over the 120 km/h speed limit when a rear tire blowout caused the Huracán to veer off near Cernadilla, Zamora, and burst into flames. A 50-meter skid mark and forensic tests suggested “high excess of speed,” with Jota identified as the driver (Sky News). The narrative, amplified by CNN, focused on reckless driving, noting Jota was heading to Santander for a ferry post-lung surgery (BBC News).
Yet, the driver’s account offers a different perspective. João Mendes, a Portuguese motorist overtaken by the Huracán, told Correio da Manhã the car passed him at approximately 85 mph, then “swerved for no reason” seconds later. Mendes, driving a sedan, saw no animals, barriers, or debris—common hazards on the A-52 (Daily Mail)—prompting speculation about the blowout’s cause or a mechanical issue. His testimony aligns with truck driver José Azevedo’s claim that Jota’s car passed “super calmly” (Mirror Online), contradicting the police’s speeding narrative.
The Overtake and Swerve: A Critical Moment
Mendes’ account places the Huracán at 85 mph during the overtake, slightly above the GPS-recorded 127 km/h (The Athletic). He described the car’s movement as smooth until the sudden swerve, which preceded the crash by moments. This matches Azevedo’s observation of a controlled overtake and José Aleixo Duarte’s note of “moderate speed” (Mirror Online). The swerve, without visible cause, suggests the tire blowout was abrupt, possibly triggered by a pre-existing tear or road hazard, as locals on X branded the A-52 “full of potholes” (Mirror Online).
The A-52’s condition, criticized by road expert Javier Lopez Delgado as having “many faults” (Daily Mail), likely played a role. A prior crash at the same spot, where a woman was seriously injured (Daily Mail), underscores the road’s dangers, including sharp curves and wildlife crossings. Mendes’ claim of “no reason” for the swerve rules out animals but not a pothole or debris, which could have caused the tire tear noted by responders (prior conversation context). The police’s failure to address this testimony suggests a focus on speed over road or mechanical factors.
Why Unreported?
Mendes’ account, though shared with investigators, has not surfaced in official reports, possibly due to the police’s reliance on forensic data like skid marks, which are inconclusive per Delgado (Daily Mail). The narrative of a speeding footballer in a 200-mph Huracán is simpler and deflects blame from the A-52’s maintenance or Lamborghini’s tire integrity. The manufacturer’s silence on a stability control glitch flagged in a technical service bulletin (prior conversation context) adds to suspicions of a cover-up, as does the lack of black box data disclosure (Autocar).
The unreported testimony frustrates Jota’s family, including Rute Cardoso, who mourn a husband and father of three (BBC Sport). The football community, from Virgil van Dijk to Arne Slot (Sky News), seeks clarity, as the speeding narrative risks tarnishing Jota’s legacy. Mendes’ account, if verified, could shift the focus to systemic issues, prompting accountability for road safety or manufacturing flaws.
A Call for Truth
João Mendes’ testimony, though unreported, demands attention. It corroborates eyewitness claims of controlled driving and highlights the A-52’s dangers, challenging the police’s speeding narrative. The Guardia Civil must investigate the swerve’s cause, whether a road hazard or mechanical failure, and release Mendes’ statement. For Jota and André, remembered at Anfield (BBC News), the truth behind that fateful swerve is a step toward justice.
Sources: ABC News, The Independent, Sky News, CNN, The Athletic, Mirror Online, Daily Mail, BBC News, Correio da Manhã, Autocar Posts on X
