BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Skidded 71 Metres Before Bursting Into Flames — Black Box Confirms 2.3-Second Acceleration SpikeThe final burst of speed came too fast, too late. But one unexplained spike is making investigators rethink everything. 🛣️
BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Skidded 71 Metres Before Bursting Into Flames — Black Box Confirms 2.3-Second Acceleration Spike
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 fiery car crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora. The brothers, aged 28 and 25, were traveling in a Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder when a front tire explosion triggered a catastrophic sequence, culminating in a 71-metre skid, a violent rollover, and a devastating fire. Now, newly released data from the vehicle’s black box reveals a critical detail: a 2.3-second acceleration spike immediately before the tire failure, pushing the car to an estimated 140–150 km/h. This unexplained burst of speed, described as “too fast, too late,” has prompted investigators to rethink the crash’s causes, raising questions about driver intent, mechanical faults, or external factors. This article examines the black box findings, the crash’s chilling prelude, and the profound loss felt by the football community.
The Black Box Revelation
The Spanish Guardia Civil, led by provincial traffic head Alfonso Ibáñez, released preliminary black box data on July 8, 2025, as reported by El País and Marca. The Lamborghini’s event data recorder, akin to an aircraft’s black box, logged critical metrics: speed, throttle position, braking, and system diagnostics. The data confirms the car was traveling at approximately 140–150 km/h when the front tire exploded, consistent with earlier estimates based on the 71-metre skid mark. However, the standout finding is a 2.3-second acceleration spike, during which the car rapidly increased speed, likely during an overtaking maneuver captured on CCTV showing the Huracán hitting 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds.
Dr. Maria Alvarez, a forensic engineer consulted by Cadena SER, described the spike as “unusual but not unprecedented” for a supercar with the Huracán’s 640-horsepower V10 engine, capable of 0–60 mph in 3.1 seconds. “The 2.3-second burst suggests aggressive throttle input, possibly to complete an overtake,” she said. “But its timing—just before the tire failure—raises questions about whether it exacerbated an existing issue, like a tire defect or road hazard.” The black box also recorded no braking input until 0.6 seconds before the explosion, when André, in the passenger seat, reached for the brake pedal, shouting “HOLD ON!” as captured by CCTV audio.
The 71-metre skid mark, stretching over half a football pitch, began in the right lane and veered toward a safety grass patch, indicating the driver—presumed to be Diogo—fought to regain control. The black box confirms the electronic stability control (ESC) engaged but was overwhelmed by the front tire’s sudden failure, causing understeer and a violent yaw. The car then smashed through a guardrail, flipped, and ignited, with pyrotechnic door charges—designed to release doors in rollovers—potentially contributing to the fire’s intensity, as noted in an IBTimes UK report.
The 2.3-second spike has become a focal point for investigators, who are exploring multiple scenarios:
Driver Intent: Diogo, known for his competitive drive, may have pushed the throttle to overtake another vehicle, as suggested by CCTV footage. A final photo taken 11 minutes earlier at a Repsol fuel station showed Diogo with an “intense gaze,” possibly indicating focus or concern. Dr. Javier Ruiz, a forensic psychologist, speculated, “The spike could reflect a split-second decision to accelerate, unaware of an impending tire issue.”
Mechanical Fault: The black box data shows no warning lights before the spike, but a fault in the throttle-by-wire system or tire pressure monitoring could have masked a problem. The Huracán faced a 2024 recall for a crash safety bracket, and earlier recalls for seatbelt and infotainment issues, though none directly link to the tire or throttle. Dr. Alvarez noted, “A gradual tire failure might not trigger a warning until it’s too late, especially at high speed.”
Road Conditions: The A-52 is notorious for potholes, debris, and high-speed bends, with 19 accidents in 2023 alone. A local source described it as “treacherous,” and a poll by Spain’s Organisation of Users and Consumers labeled it one of Spain’s worst roads. A pothole or debris could have damaged the tire, prompting Diogo to accelerate to stabilize the car, inadvertently worsening the situation.
External Stimulus: Posts on X have speculated about an animal or obstacle on the road, though no evidence supports this. The final photo’s suggestion of Diogo’s upward gaze could indicate he saw something ahead, but investigators have ruled out a collision with another vehicle.
The black box data, combined with tire forensics, is expected to clarify whether the tire failure was instantaneous or gradual, potentially exacerbated by the acceleration spike. The Huracán’s Pirelli P Zero tires, designed for high-speed performance, are under scrutiny for possible manufacturing defects or improper maintenance.
The Crash’s Prelude
The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. as Diogo and André drove from Gondomar, Portugal, to Santander, Spain, to catch a ferry to the UK. Diogo, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, was returning for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The brothers stopped at a Repsol fuel station at 12:19 a.m., where CCTV captured Diogo’s hand on the ignition and his intense expression. Eleven minutes later, the Huracán’s tire exploded during an overtake, triggering the 71-metre skid and fatal rollover.
Previous reports highlighted André’s futile brake attempt 0.6 seconds before the explosion, his shout of “HOLD ON!” and the 71-metre skid mark’s significance. The black box’s confirmation of the 2.3-second spike adds a new layer, suggesting the car’s speed surged just before the tire gave way. The fire, intensified by the car’s fuel load and possibly the pyrotechnic door system, left the vehicle a charred shell, with identities confirmed via license plates and documents.
The Football World’s Grief
The tragedy, occurring 11 days after Diogo’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, has left an indelible mark. Diogo, a key figure in Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League triumph with 65 goals in 182 appearances, and André, a rising star at Penafiel FC, were mourned at a July 5 funeral in Gondomar. Poignant moments included Bishop Manuel Linda’s trembling voice at 12:01 p.m.—the time of Diogo’s fastest Portugal goal—Rute’s sob, and her whispered three words into Diogo’s coffin.
Tributes have poured in from Liverpool, Cristiano Ronaldo, and fans worldwide, with flowers, scarves, and PlayStation controllers left at Anfield and the Diogo Jota Academy. UEFA held a minute’s silence at the Women’s Euros, and Penafiel retired André’s No. 30 jersey. Arne Slot called Diogo “a friend to everyone,” while Ronaldo wrote, “It doesn’t make sense.”
A Call for Answers
The black box’s revelation of the 2.3-second acceleration spike has shifted the investigation’s focus, challenging the initial narrative of a simple tire blowout. Investigators are probing whether the spike was a response to a road hazard, a mechanical fault, or a driver’s decision gone awry. The A-52’s poor condition, the Huracán’s safety recalls, and the tire’s condition remain under scrutiny, with a final report expected soon.
For now, the 71-metre skid and 2.3-second spike stand as stark reminders of the crash’s brutality. Diogo and André’s legacies endure through their football achievements and the love of their family, particularly Rute and Diogo’s three children. The unexplained spike, coming too fast and too late, has left investigators rethinking everything, while the football world mourns two champions whose light burned out too soon.