An eyewitness who filmed the tragic car accident that killed Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, has publicly contested key claims made in the initial police investigation. His statement comes as Spanish authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of last Thursday on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, in the Spanish province of Zamora. According to the Civil Guard, the Lamborghini carrying Jota and his brother veered off the road while overtaking, reportedly after suffering a tyre blowout. The vehicle caught fire, and both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
While police have indicated that excessive speed may have played a role, eyewitness Jose Azevedo, a truck driver who was on the same stretch of road at the time, has challenged this version of events.
“I filmed it, I stopped and tried to help,” Azevedo told the Daily Mail. “Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. I have a clear conscience. My condolences go out to the family, but I can say with certainty they were not speeding.”
Azevedo explained that he drives the route daily and was able to clearly identify the make and colour of the car in the dark. “It’s a dangerous road. I could see everything clearly. I know this road very well — it’s not worth speeding on it,” he added.
A second truck driver also reportedly came forward, telling Spanish outlet MARCA that he had been overtaken by the Lamborghini moments before the crash and described its speed as “moderate.”
Despite these accounts, Spanish authorities released a second statement this week, suggesting early evidence points to Jota being behind the wheel at the time of the crash, and that the car may have exceeded the speed limit. They are still finalising an expert report, which includes an analysis of tyre marks and other forensic details. This report will be handed to a local court in Puebla de Sanabria once completed.
Investigators have also reportedly used personal belongings and information from the family to help determine who was driving and who was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash.
The two brothers were laid to rest in a private ceremony in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, last Saturday. Many of Jota’s Liverpool and Portugal teammates attended the funeral, which followed an emotional outpouring of tributes from across the football world.
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan spoke publicly following the tragedy, expressing the club’s deep sorrow.
“This has shaken all of us,” Hogan said. “The support from fans has been overwhelming. What we’ve seen — the cards, the messages, the anthem — shows the strength of our community and the love for Jota and his brother. We’re committed to supporting the family through this.”
Jota, 27, joined Liverpool in 2020 and scored 65 goals for the club. He had recently married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children. He had posted a video from their wedding just hours before the crash.
Liverpool are set to return to the pitch this Sunday in a pre-season friendly against Preston — their first match since the tragic loss. The game will be broadcast on ITV.
As the investigation continues, police have not confirmed whether full findings will be made public.
