BREAKING: Witness Claims Diogo Jota Walked Away from Crash Unharmed Before Returning to Burning Car

On July 3, 2025, the football world was rocked by the tragic deaths of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a catastrophic car accident on the A-52 motorway in northwestern Spain. However, a shocking new claim has emerged from an eyewitness, alleging that Jota initially walked away from the crash site unharmed, only to return minutes later and climb back into the burning wreckage of his Lamborghini Huracan. This account, detailed in an exclusive interview, challenges the official narrative provided by Spanish authorities and raises haunting questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Below, we explore the details of the accident, the eyewitness testimony, and the implications of this startling revelation.

The Tragic Accident

The fatal crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time near Cernadilla, in the Zamora province, as Jota and his brother were traveling eastward on the A-52 motorway. According to initial reports from Spain’s Guardia Civil, the accident was triggered by a suspected tire blowout while the Lamborghini was overtaking another vehicle. The high-performance vehicle veered off the road, struck the central reservation, and burst into flames, claiming the lives of both occupants. The police later stated that forensic evidence, including tire marks, suggested the car was traveling at excessive speed, potentially exceeding the 120 km/h (75 mph) limit on that stretch of highway. They also indicated that Diogo Jota was likely the driver at the time of the crash.

Jota, a 28-year-old Portuguese forward, was a beloved figure at Liverpool FC, where he had played since 2020, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and helping the club secure the Premier League title, FA Cup, and League Cup. His brother, André Silva, 25, was a professional footballer for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division. The brothers were reportedly en route to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against flying following recent lung surgery. The tragedy, coming just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, sent shockwaves through the global football community, prompting tributes from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Prince William.

The Eyewitness Account

In a stunning twist, an eyewitness, identified as Portuguese lorry driver José Azevedo, has come forward with a narrative that contradicts the official police report. In an exclusive interview, Azevedo claims he was driving on the A-52 when he witnessed the crash and its immediate aftermath. According to Azevedo, the Lamborghini passed his truck “super calmly” and at a moderate speed, refuting police assertions that Jota was speeding. More astonishingly, Azevedo alleges that after the car veered off the road and caught fire, he saw a man—believed to be Diogo Jota—emerge from the wreckage and walk away from the crash site, appearing unharmed.

Azevedo states that he stopped his truck, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and approached the scene to offer assistance. He claims that the man he saw, whom he later identified as Jota based on media reports, was standing a short distance from the burning car. However, minutes later, Azevedo says he was shocked to see the same man return to the vehicle and climb back inside, despite the flames. “I couldn’t believe it,” Azevedo recounted. “He looked fine, walking normally, and then he went back to the car. I tried to help, but the fire was too intense. There was nothing I could do.” Azevedo provided video evidence to support his account, showing the burning Lamborghini and his truck’s tachograph to verify his presence at the scene.

A second lorry driver, José Aleixo Duarte, corroborated parts of Azevedo’s story, stating that he also witnessed the Lamborghini passing his vehicle at a moderate speed shortly before the crash. Duarte described the road conditions as poor, with potholes and inadequate signage, which he believes may have contributed to the accident. Both drivers dispute the police’s claim of excessive speed, with Duarte asserting, “The road was in terrible condition. They weren’t speeding.”

Implications and Questions

This eyewitness testimony raises profound questions about the sequence of events leading to the deaths of Jota and Silva. If Jota did indeed walk away from the crash unharmed, why would he return to the burning vehicle? Several possibilities have been speculated, though none have been confirmed. One theory is that Jota may have gone back to attempt to rescue his brother, who could have been trapped inside the car. The intense bond between the siblings, both professional footballers from Gondomar, Portugal, lends credence to the idea that Jota might have risked his life to save André. Another possibility is disorientation or shock following the crash, which could have impaired Jota’s judgment, leading him to re-enter the vehicle.

The claim also casts doubt on the Guardia Civil’s preliminary findings, which heavily emphasized speeding as a factor based on tire marks and forensic analysis. The lorry drivers’ accounts suggest that road conditions, including potholes and poor lighting, may have played a more significant role than previously acknowledged. The A-52 motorway has been described as “very dangerous” by local officials, with 19 accidents reported in 2023, averaging 1.5 deaths per incident. Complaints about potholes and inadequate signage have been documented, with 40 pothole reports filed to Spain’s transport ministry in a single month in 2024. These factors could support the eyewitnesses’ assertion that the road itself was a contributing hazard.

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Guardia Civil has not yet commented on Azevedo’s specific claim about Jota walking away from the crash. Their most recent statement, issued on July 8, 2025, reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that a final report will be submitted to a local judge in Puebla de Sanabria, Zamora, before being made public. The police maintain that “all tests carried out so far” indicate Jota was driving and that the car was likely exceeding the speed limit. However, they acknowledged that the expert report is still being finalized, suggesting that new evidence, such as Azevedo’s testimony, could prompt a re-evaluation.

Azevedo’s decision to come forward was partly motivated by online criticism accusing him of filming the crash for attention without attempting to help. In his interview, he expressed frustration at these accusations, emphasizing that he stopped and tried to assist but was unable to approach the vehicle due to the intensity of the fire. His video, which went viral, shows the Lamborghini engulfed in flames, with a slightly cracked windscreen on his truck visible in both the crash footage and a subsequent selfie video, lending credibility to his account.

The Football World’s Grief

The deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva have left an indelible mark on the football community. Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing their devastation and requesting privacy for the family, while fans gathered at Anfield to lay flowers, scarves, and tributes, including a banner reading “Diogo lives forever.” Players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo attended the brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, where emotional tributes highlighted Jota’s warmth and infectious joy. Calls have emerged to retire Jota’s number 20 shirt, a move that would be a historic first for Liverpool.

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo described the loss as “senseless,” while former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp called Jota “a friend to everyone.” Current manager Arne Slot reflected on Jota’s humility and spirit, noting, “He was the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.” The Portuguese Football Federation vowed to honor the brothers’ legacy, describing them as “two champions” whose deaths represent “irreparable losses.”

Conclusion

The eyewitness claim that Diogo Jota walked away from the crash site unharmed before returning to the burning car adds a heartbreaking layer to an already tragic story. While the Guardia Civil’s investigation continues, the accounts of José Azevedo and José Aleixo Duarte challenge the narrative of speeding and highlight potential issues with the A-52 motorway’s condition. As the football world mourns, the focus remains on uncovering the full truth of what happened in those fateful moments. For now, the memory of Diogo Jota—a devoted husband, father, and footballer—lives on in the hearts of fans and teammates, who will ensure he and his brother are never forgotten.