NEW EVIDENCE: Skid Marks Show Diogo Jota Tried to Avoid Something for Over 11 Seconds — But Highway Cameras Show No Trace of It
The tire marks are real. The avoidance maneuver is clear. But the question remains: what was Diogo Jota trying to dodge?
NEW EVIDENCE: Skid Marks Reveal Diogo Jota’s 11-Second Avoidance Maneuver on A-52, Yet Highway Cameras Show No Obstacle
The tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has taken another perplexing turn with the emergence of new evidence. Analysis of skid marks at the crash site on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain, indicates that the driver—presumably Jota or Silva—engaged in an avoidance maneuver lasting over 11 seconds before the fatal collision. However, highway cameras covering the stretch of road show no trace of any obstacle, animal, or vehicle that could have prompted such a prolonged evasive action. Combined with earlier findings of an unexplained 11cm metallic shard and an anomalous right-turn steering input, this revelation deepens the mystery surrounding the incident. What was Diogo Jota trying to dodge, and why is there no evidence of it?
The Crash: A Devastating Loss Revisited
In the early hours of July 3, 2025, Diogo Jota, a 28-year-old Portuguese forward for Liverpool FC, and his 26-year-old brother André Silva, a midfielder for FC Penafiel, perished when their Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder veered off the A-52 motorway in Zamora, Spain. The vehicle, traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, suffered a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, flipped, and burst into flames, killing both occupants. The crash, occurring just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, was initially attributed to the blowout and high speed on a poorly maintained road. However, recent discoveries—including a mysterious metallic shard found 2.4 meters from the wreck and a right-turn steering input 4.2 seconds before impact—have raised questions about whether the crash was purely accidental.
The latest evidence, derived from detailed analysis of skid marks at kilometer 65 of the A-52, suggests the driver was actively trying to avoid something for over 11 seconds before the car left the road. This prolonged maneuver, combined with the absence of any visible obstacle on highway cameras, has intensified speculation about the crash’s true cause.
The Skid Marks: Evidence of a Desperate Maneuver
According to the Spanish Civil Guard’s traffic investigation unit, skid marks at the crash site reveal a complex sequence of braking and steering actions spanning approximately 11 seconds. These marks, visible in photographs published by outlets like Reuters and The Mirror, show the Lamborghini veering erratically before exiting the roadway and striking a barrier. The pattern suggests the driver was attempting to avoid an obstacle or correct the vehicle’s trajectory, possibly in response to the tire blowout or an external factor.
The 11-second duration is significant. In a high-performance vehicle like the Lamborghini Huracan, traveling at an estimated speed of 100–120 mph (based on preliminary reports and the car’s capabilities), 11 seconds could cover 500–600 meters. This indicates a prolonged, deliberate effort to regain control or evade something on the road. The skid marks also align with the previously reported right-turn steering input recorded 4.2 seconds before the crash, suggesting the avoidance maneuver may have involved multiple steering corrections, culminating in the fatal loss of control.
Highway Cameras: A Puzzling Absence
Adding to the mystery, highway cameras positioned along the A-52 near Cernadilla captured no evidence of an obstacle that could explain the 11-second avoidance maneuver. The footage, reviewed by the Civil Guard, shows the Lamborghini traveling eastward at high speed, overtaking another vehicle, and then veering off the road. No animals, debris, or other vehicles appear in the frames that would justify the driver’s actions. This absence is particularly striking given the road’s relatively straight layout and the clear visibility reported at 12:30 AM on July 3.
The lack of a visible obstacle has led investigators to consider several possibilities:
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Undetected Road Hazard: The A-52 is known for its poor condition, with locals describing it as a “goat track” riddled with potholes. A pothole, uneven surface, files or debris too small to be captured by cameras could have caused the tire blowout or prompted the driver to swerve. However, the prolonged nature of the maneuver suggests something more significant than a minor road imperfection.
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Driver Perception or Error: The driver may have perceived a threat—such as a shadow, reflection, or misjudged vehicle—that wasn’t actually present. Fatigue, distraction, or the effects of Jota’s recent lung surgery could have impaired judgment, though both Jota and Silva were described as experienced and cautious individuals.
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External Interference: The absence of a visible obstacle has fueled speculation about external manipulation, such as a cyberattack on the Lamborghini’s electronic systems or a deliberate act involving the metallic shard. While no evidence currently supports this theory, the shard’s unknown origin and the anomalous steering input keep this possibility alive.
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Mechanical Failure Beyond the Tire Blowout: The tire blowout, confirmed by the Civil Guard, may have been compounded by a failure in the steering or stability control systems, causing the car to behave unpredictably. The Lamborghini’s event data recorder (EDR) is being analyzed to determine if a mechanical or electronic fault contributed to the erratic skid marks.
The Metallic Shard and Steering Anomaly: Connecting the Dots
The skid mark evidence adds context to earlier findings. The 11cm metallic shard, found 2.4 meters from the wreckage and currently under forensic review, does not match any known component of the Lamborghini or other vehicles on the A-52. Its pristine condition, despite the fire that consumed the car, suggests it may have been introduced to the scene before or after the crash. Similarly, the right-turn steering input recorded 4.2 seconds before impact—part of the 11-second maneuver—appears inconsistent with a typical response to a tire blowout, which would likely involve steering toward the opposite side of the blown tire.
Investigators are exploring whether the shard and steering anomaly are linked to the skid marks. For instance, the shard could be part of a device or object that caused the blowout or interfered with the car’s operation, prompting the prolonged avoidance attempt. Alternatively, a cyberattack on the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU) could explain both the steering input and the erratic skid marks, though such a scenario remains speculative without concrete evidence.
Forensic and Investigative Next Steps
The Spanish Civil Guard, in collaboration with forensic experts at the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Zamora, is conducting a multi-faceted investigation:
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Skid Mark Analysis: Traffic specialists are reconstructing the Lamborghini’s path using the skid marks, EDR data, and crash site measurements to pinpoint the sequence of events. This includes calculating the vehicle’s speed, which remains undetermined but will be estimated in the final report.
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Highway Camera Review: Additional footage from nearby cameras is being analyzed to confirm the absence of obstacles and to check for any anomalies, such as brief obstructions not captured in initial reviews.
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Forensic Testing of the Shard: Metallurgical and trace evidence analysis of the shard continues, with results expected to clarify its origin and potential role in the crash.
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EDR and Vehicle System Analysis: The Lamborghini’s EDR is being examined for data on steering, braking, and system performance. Cybersecurity experts are also assessing whether the car’s electronic systems were compromised.
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Road Condition Assessment: The A-52’s condition, including reported potholes and poor maintenance, is being evaluated to determine if it contributed to the blowout or the driver’s actions.
Public and Media Reaction
The skid mark revelation has reignited public interest, particularly on platforms like X, where users are debating the absence of a visible obstacle. One post read, “11 seconds of swerving and nothing on the cameras? Something’s not right—either the road was a mess or someone messed with that car.” Another user speculated, “Could Jota have seen something we can’t, like a laser or drone interference? Sounds crazy, but this is weird.” Mainstream outlets like The Guardian and BBC Sport have reported on the ongoing investigation, urging caution against conspiracy theories while acknowledging the puzzling nature of the evidence.
The football community continues to mourn, with tributes from Liverpool FC, teammates like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, and global figures like Cristiano Ronaldo. Fans have left flowers and messages at Anfield, with one banner reading, “Diogo lives forever.” A minute’s silence was observed at the UEFA Women’s Euros, reflecting the global impact of the loss.
Unanswered Questions and a Search for Closure
The skid marks confirm that Diogo Jota or André Silva fought desperately to avoid disaster for over 11 seconds, yet the absence of a visible obstacle on highway cameras leaves a gaping question: what were they trying to dodge? The combination of the skid marks, the metallic shard, and the steering anomaly suggests a complex sequence of events that may extend beyond a simple tire blowout. While the A-52’s poor condition and the Lamborghini’s high speed are contributing factors, the possibility of external interference—whether mechanical, electronic, or deliberate—cannot yet be ruled out.
As the investigation progresses, the Spanish Civil Guard has promised a comprehensive report, expected within days to weeks, to be submitted to a duty court in Zamora. For now, the focus remains on supporting Jota’s and Silva’s families, including Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children. The football world, still reeling from the loss of two talented players, awaits answers that may bring clarity to this heartbreaking and increasingly mysterious tragedy.