On July 3, 2025, the football world was rocked by the tragic deaths of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 26, in a catastrophic car accident on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Spain. The crash, which saw their £180,000 Lamborghini veer off the road, flip, and burst into flames, has left fans, teammates, and families in mourning. Now, an exclusive witness account from a Portuguese truck driver, Manuel Azevedo, who was on the A-52 at the time of the accident, provides a chilling new perspective on the events that unfolded. Azevedo claims he saw the car lose control, collide with a barrier, flip multiple times, and explode in a fireball, with a mysterious figure fleeing the wreckage moments before it was engulfed. This revelation, which contradicts initial police reports, has sparked intense speculation and renewed scrutiny of the crash’s cause, the road’s condition, and the possibility of an unknown survivor.

The Night of the Tragedy: A Fateful Journey

Diogo Jota, fresh off celebrating his Premier League title with Liverpool and his wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, was en route to Santander, Spain, with his brother André. The pair planned to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure. Traveling in a sleek Lamborghini, the brothers were navigating the A-52, a notoriously treacherous highway known for its potholes, inadequate barriers, and frequent accidents.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight, under the cover of darkness on a poorly lit stretch of the motorway. Initial reports from the Spanish Civil Guard suggested that a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver caused the car to veer off the road, with excessive speed as a likely contributing factor. The vehicle reportedly struck a barrier, flipped, and caught fire, killing both occupants. However, Azevedo’s account, shared in a video sent to Portuguese media and later corroborated in interviews, paints a more complex and haunting picture.

The Witness’s Account: A Harrowing Scene

Manuel Azevedo, a 42-year-old truck driver who travels the A-52 daily, was driving his rig approximately 200 meters behind the Lamborghini when he witnessed the crash. In his emotional recounting, Azevedo describes the moment the car began to falter. “I saw the Lamborghini ahead, moving steadily, not speeding like the police claimed,” he said. “Suddenly, it swerved sharply, as if it hit something or lost traction. It slammed into the barrier on the right, flipped at least twice, and then—boom—it exploded into flames.”

Azevedo, who recorded the fiery wreckage on his phone, stopped his truck and rushed to the scene with a fire extinguisher, hoping to aid the victims. “I tried to get close, but the heat was unbearable,” he recalled. “The car was completely engulfed, and there was nothing I could do.” But what has stunned investigators and the public alike is Azevedo’s claim that, amidst the chaos, he saw a figure emerge from the wreckage. “Just before the flames took over, I saw someone—a silhouette—stumble out of the car and run into the darkness. I couldn’t tell who it was or if they were injured, but they moved fast and disappeared.”

This detail, absent from initial police statements, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation. Was there a third person in the car? Could one of the brothers have survived the initial crash, only to succumb later? Or is Azevedo’s account, given under the stress of a traumatic event, unreliable? Spanish authorities have yet to confirm or refute this claim, noting that their expert report is still being finalized.

Challenging the Official Narrative

Azevedo’s testimony directly challenges the Spanish Civil Guard’s preliminary findings, which pointed to Diogo Jota as the driver and suggested he was exceeding the 120 km/h speed limit. “I know that road like the back of my hand,” Azevedo insisted. “They weren’t speeding. The car passed me calmly, and I could see it clearly. The police are wrong about that.” He also highlighted the A-52’s poor condition, echoing local reports that drivers have long complained about its potholes, uneven surfaces, and lack of proper safety barriers. A 2020 poll by La Opinión de Zamora ranked the A-52 among Spain’s most dangerous roads, a factor that may have played a role in the tragedy.

Dashcam footage from another driver, which surfaced days after the crash, appears to support Azevedo’s concerns about the road. The footage reveals a hidden dip in the pavement near the crash site, which could have destabilized the Lamborghini, especially if a tire was already compromised. Forensic tests are ongoing to examine the vehicle’s tires and the road’s condition, but the dashcam evidence has intensified calls for infrastructure improvements on the A-52.

Azevedo’s decision to go public was not without hesitation. He admitted to Portuguese media that he “thought twice” about sharing his story, fearing backlash from those who accused him of exploiting the tragedy for attention. “I only filmed to document what happened,” he said. “People online were saying I did nothing to help, but I tried. I couldn’t save them, and it haunts me.” His emotional plea included condolences to Jota’s family: “I’m so sorry for your loss. I want you to know they weren’t reckless. It was a terrible accident.”

The Mysterious Figure: Theories and Speculation

The most perplexing element of Azevedo’s account is the figure he claims to have seen fleeing the wreckage. This detail has sparked a flurry of theories on social media platforms like X, where users have debated whether it could indicate a survivor, a misidentification, or even foul play. Some speculate that a third passenger, perhaps a friend or associate, was in the car and escaped, though no evidence supports this. Others suggest Azevedo may have mistaken emergency responders or bystanders for someone from the car, given the chaotic scene.

Spanish police have acknowledged the witness’s account but cautioned that it remains unverified. “We are still trying to locate and interview all eyewitnesses, including the individual who filmed the crash,” a Civil Guard spokesperson told El Mundo. The absence of physical evidence, such as additional remains or belongings, complicates the investigation. The Lamborghini was reduced to ashes, and the intense fire likely destroyed any clues about additional occupants.

The possibility of a survivor, however fleeting, has added a layer of intrigue to an already devastating story. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children have not commented on the new claims, but the family’s grief has been palpable. Fundraising efforts are underway to support them, with Liverpool FC and fans rallying to honor Jota’s legacy.

The Road’s Deadly History

The A-52’s reputation as a hazardous route has come under renewed scrutiny following the crash. The highway, which connects Spain’s northwest to Portugal, has been the site of numerous accidents, including the 2019 crash that killed former Arsenal star José Antonio Reyes. Like Jota’s accident, Reyes’ crash involved a tire blowout, high speed, and a fire, raising questions about systemic safety issues. Local advocates are now demanding urgent repairs, including better lighting, reinforced barriers, and regular maintenance to address potholes and dips.

Azevedo’s account aligns with these concerns. “That road is a death trap,” he said. “I drive it every day, and I’ve seen too many close calls. The dip where they crashed isn’t marked, and at night, it’s invisible.” His testimony, combined with the dashcam footage, could shift the investigation’s focus from driver error to road conditions, potentially influencing legal and policy outcomes.

The Football World Mourns

The loss of Diogo Jota, a beloved figure known for his 65 goals in 182 games for Liverpool and 44 goals in 131 appearances for Wolves, has sent shockwaves through the football community. Tributes from teammates, rivals, and fans have poured in, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Mohamed Salah among those expressing their sorrow. Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly against Preston North End was postponed as the team grappled with the tragedy.

André Silva, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, was also mourned as a rising talent. The brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, drew hundreds, including Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. The Portuguese Football Federation called the deaths “devastating,” while UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Jota’s passion and brilliance.

Unanswered Questions and a Call for Answers

As the investigation continues, Azevedo’s account has added complexity to an already heart-wrenching case. Was the crash solely the result of a tire blowout and speed, as police initially suggested, or did the A-52’s perilous conditions play a decisive role? Who was the figure Azevedo saw, and why has no trace of them been found? These questions linger as the football world seeks closure and justice for two young lives cut short.

The Spanish Civil Guard has promised a comprehensive report, to be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria, but the process could take weeks. In the meantime, Azevedo’s testimony has galvanized public interest, with posts on X amplifying his claims and reigniting debate about the crash.

For now, the focus remains on honoring Diogo Jota and André Silva. Their legacies—on the pitch and in the hearts of those who loved them—endure, even as the mystery of that fateful night deepens. As Azevedo put it, “I just want the truth to come out. They deserve that.” The world waits for answers, hoping to find solace in understanding what truly happened on the A-52.