Follow Up: Spanish Authorities Reveal New Details in Car Crash That Killed Diogo Jota, Brother
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Spanish authorities have released preliminary findings into the tragic car crash that killed former Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother, Andre Silva, 26, along a motorway in the Zamora province.
OTN News further reports as gathered that local authorities had earlier disclosed that the fatal accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, along the A-52 motorway near the municipality of Cernadilla.
They said that the brothers were en route to a nearby jetty to board a ferry to the United Kingdom when their vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames.
According to an initial statement by Spanish police, early evidence suggests the crash may have been triggered by a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver. The violent impact led to a fire that killed both occupants instantly.
“A vehicle left the road, and all indications are that there was a tyre burst while overtaking. As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed,” police officials said.
Further details indicate that Diogo Jota had chosen to return to the UK by ferry rather than fly, reportedly following medical advice related to a recent lung surgery that made air travel inadvisable.
However, Oo Tuesday, July 8, two days after the siblings were laid to rest, the Civil Guard in Zamora issued an updated statement confirming that Jota was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Authorities also revealed that the vehicle had been travelling well above the posted speed limit.
“The expert report is being prepared and finalised,” the Civil Guard noted.
“Among other things, the marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels are being examined. All the evidence so far indicates that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota. The expert report is not yet complete, but as it is subject to judicial review, it will be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court.” authorities disclosed.
Investigators are continuing to analyze physical evidence from the crash site, including skid marks and debris, as part of their comprehensive assessment.
OTN News, however, observes from the information, expression, reaction, video, gathered and seen online, that the deaths of Jota and Silva have sparked an outpouring of grief from the global football community.
Fans, former teammates, and clubs have offered tributes to the Portuguese international, celebrated for his stint with Liverpool and his role with the national team, and to Silva, remembered as a kind-hearted and ambitious young man.
Subsequently, Authorities confirmed that final conclusions from the investigation will be submitted to the local court for judicial review once the forensic and expert analysis is complete.
What's Your Reaction?
