The tragic deaths of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car accident on July 3, 2025, have sent shockwaves through the global football community. The incident, which occurred on the A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spain, claimed the lives of the 28-year-old Portuguese forward and his 25-year-old brother when their Lamborghini Huracán veered off the road and burst into flames. Spanish authorities have since released preliminary findings, pointing to a combination of factors, including a suspected tyre blowout and possible design flaws in the Lamborghini Huracán model, raising questions about the manufacturer’s responsibility. This article explores the details of the investigation, the potential role of the vehicle’s design, and the broader implications for Lamborghini and road safety.

The Tragic Accident

The accident took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, near Zamora, close to Spain’s border with Portugal. Jota and his brother were traveling eastward, reportedly heading to the port city of Santander to catch a ferry to the United Kingdom, as Jota had been advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure. The brothers were alone in the vehicle, a Lamborghini Huracán, which was described by witnesses as an “acid green” supercar capable of reaching speeds up to 202 mph.

According to the Spanish Guardia Civil, the vehicle was overtaking another car when it suffered a suspected tyre blowout, causing it to veer off the road, crash into a central reservation, and erupt into flames. The fire was so intense that it spread to nearby vegetation, and emergency services were unable to save the brothers, who are believed to have died almost instantly. The wreckage was identified using the car’s license plate and documents found at the scene, as the vehicle was nearly obliterated by the fire.

Spanish Police Findings: Speed and Tyre Blowout

Initial reports from the Guardia Civil suggested that the accident was triggered by a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver. However, subsequent updates on July 8, 2025, provided further insight into the investigation. The police now believe that Diogo Jota was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash and that the car was traveling “way in excess” of the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit on the A-52 motorway. Skid marks stretching nearly 50 meters were found at the scene, indicating that the vehicle may have been moving at a high speed before the driver lost control.

The Guardia Civil’s traffic division in Zamora is conducting an expert analysis, focusing on the tread marks left by one of the vehicle’s tyres. While speed has been identified as a contributing factor, the investigation has also highlighted the tyre blowout as a critical element in the crash. The police have not yet finalized their report, which will be submitted to the court in Puebla de Sanabria, but their findings have shifted attention to the Lamborghini Huracán’s design and safety features.

Lamborghini Huracán: A History of Safety Concerns

The Lamborghini Huracán, a high-performance supercar, has been one of the Italian manufacturer’s most successful models. However, recent reports have raised concerns about its safety record. In September 2024, Lamborghini recalled 39 Huracán EVO Spyder vehicles in the United States due to a crash protection bracket that may have been installed on the wrong side, compromising the vehicle’s structural integrity. Additionally, in November 2023, 7,805 Huracán models were recalled due to an infotainment system function that allowed drivers to adjust headlights horizontally, potentially causing glare for oncoming traffic. Other recalls between 2021 and 2023 addressed issues with door unlatching cables and seat belt warning systems, which could fail to activate at low speeds.

While these recalls do not directly address tyre-related issues, they indicate a pattern of design and assembly flaws in the Huracán lineup. Javier Lopez Delgado, an independent expert cited in media reports, has suggested that the road surface on the A-52, known as the Rías Bajas motorway, may have contributed to the accident due to its “many faults,” including potholes and uneven asphalt. However, Delgado also emphasized that speed alone was unlikely to be the sole factor, pointing to potential issues with the vehicle’s design or maintenance.

The tyre blowout hypothesis has led investigators to examine whether a manufacturing defect or design flaw in the Lamborghini’s tyre or wheel assembly could have played a role. High-performance vehicles like the Huracán are equipped with specialized low-profile tyres designed for speed and handling, but these tyres can be more susceptible to failure under certain conditions, such as high speeds or road imperfections. If a defect in the tyre or its integration with the vehicle’s suspension system is confirmed, it could point to a “deadly design flaw” that may have contributed to the tragedy.

Was Lamborghini Negligent?

The question of whether Lamborghini bears responsibility for the accident hinges on several factors, including the findings of the ongoing investigation and the history of the Huracán’s safety issues. If the tyre blowout is linked to a manufacturing defect or inadequate design, Lamborghini could face legal and financial liability. Previous recalls suggest that the company has acknowledged and addressed certain safety concerns, but it remains unclear whether these issues extended to the specific model involved in Jota’s crash.

Automotive manufacturers are generally held to high standards of safety and reliability, particularly for high-performance vehicles marketed to consumers. If evidence emerges that Lamborghini failed to address known risks or neglected to ensure the Huracán’s components were safe under normal operating conditions, the company could be liable for negligence. However, the investigation’s emphasis on excessive speed complicates the issue, as driver behavior could also be deemed a significant factor.

The A-52 motorway itself has come under scrutiny, with reports describing it as a notoriously dangerous road due to frequent accidents, uneven surfaces, and the presence of wildlife such as Iberian wolves and deer. In 2023, the road saw 19 accidents with an average of 1.5 fatalities per incident, earning it a reputation as an “accident blackspot.” While Spanish police have stated that the section of the road where the crash occurred was not inherently unsafe, these conditions may have exacerbated the effects of the tyre blowout.

The Human Cost and Football’s Response

The loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva has left an indelible mark on the football world. Jota, a beloved figure at Liverpool FC, was a key player in the club’s 2024/25 Premier League-winning campaign, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. His brother André, a professional footballer for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel, was also a rising talent. The brothers were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, on July 5, 2025, in a funeral attended by family, friends, and Liverpool players, including captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Prince William expressing their grief. Liverpool manager Arne Slot described Jota as “the essence of what a Liverpool player should be,” while Mohamed Salah spoke of the difficulty of returning to training without his teammate. The Portuguese Football Federation requested a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain, honoring the “irreparable loss” of two champions.

Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, whom he married just 11 days before the accident, now faces the unimaginable task of raising their three young children alone. The football community has rallied around the family, with Liverpool pledging ongoing support.

Implications for Lamborghini and Road Safety

The tragedy has sparked broader discussions about the safety of high-performance vehicles and the responsibilities of manufacturers. Supercars like the Lamborghini Huracán are designed for speed and agility, but their performance capabilities can amplify the risks of mechanical failures or driver errors. If the investigation confirms a design flaw, it could prompt further recalls or regulatory scrutiny of Lamborghini’s manufacturing processes. Additionally, the incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of road conditions on highways like the A-52, where structural issues may contribute to accidents.

For now, the football world mourns the loss of two talented players, while investigators work to determine the full circumstances of the crash. Whether Lamborghini will be held accountable remains uncertain, but the findings could have far-reaching implications for the automotive industry and the legacy of Diogo Jota and André Silva.