Death of Diogo Jota: witnesses refute claims of speeding | OneFootball

Diogo Jota

A week ago, the football world learned of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, André. While initial reports suggested the Portuguese star's vehicle was speeding at the time of the fatal crash, eyewitnesses are now strongly disputing this version of events.

In recent days, the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva have sent shockwaves through the football community. Tributes to the Liverpool forward have poured in across social media and on the pitches of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Now, the investigation is focused on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the car accident. The vehicle carrying the two men veered off the highway in the Zamora province of northwestern Spain and burst into flames following a tire explosion. Initial findings from the Spanish police investigation suggested that a "significant speeding violation" led to the crash. However, several eyewitnesses at the scene have come forward to firmly contradict this account, sharing their testimonies with the Portuguese press.

José Aleixo Duarte, a Portuguese truck driver, told Correio de Manha that Diogo Jota and his brother had overtaken him just minutes earlier, driving, in his words, at a "moderate speed". Another truck driver, José Azevedo, who notably filmed Jota's Lamborghini engulfed in flames, echoed this perspective: "I filmed, I stopped, I tried to help, but unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. My deepest condolences to the family. The family has my word—they were not speeding. They were driving very calmly. I drive this road every day, Monday to Saturday. I know this stretch well, and I've seen some truly outrageous things from other cars, but they were driving very calmly. It was dark, but even so, I could clearly see the make and color of the car. Later, sadly, the accident happened."

Meanwhile, Marca, the Madrid-based outlet, also reported that a woman narrowly escaped death after a serious accident on the same road as Diogo Jota, just hours before the fatal crash involving the Portuguese player.