Spanish authorities have released initial details about the car crash that claimed the lives of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 26.
According to local police, the fatal accident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, along the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora province. The brothers were reportedly on their way to a nearby jetty to catch a ferry bound for the United Kingdom when tragedy struck.
A preliminary statement issued by Spanish police shortly after the crash indicated that the vehicle veered off the road, with evidence suggesting a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver. The impact reportedly caused the car to catch fire, resulting in the immediate deaths of both occupants.
Police sources explained:
“A vehicle left the road, and all indications are that there was a tyre burst while overtaking. As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed.”
Further reports suggest that Diogo Jota had opted to return to the UK by ferry rather than by air travel, allegedly following medical advice after undergoing lung surgery that made flying inadvisable.
On Tuesday, July 8 two days after the siblings’ burial the Civil Guard in Zamora issued an updated statement confirming that Diogo Jota was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Authorities also disclosed that the vehicle was significantly exceeding the posted speed limit when the accident happened. The ongoing investigation is focused on analyzing physical evidence from the crash site, including tire marks and debris.
“The expert report is being prepared and finalised,” the Civil Guard noted.
“Among other things, the marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels are being examined. All the evidence so far indicates that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota. The expert report is not yet complete, but as it is subject to judicial review, it will be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court.”
The devastating loss of the two brothers has drawn widespread mourning from the football community and fans worldwide. Tributes have poured in for Diogo Jota, remembered for his time at Liverpool and for his achievements with the Portuguese national team, as well as for Andre Silva, described by friends and family as a warm and promising young man.
Investigators have stressed that their final conclusions will be delivered to the local court for judicial assessment once the expert analysis is complete.
Post a Comment