There was no criminal liability over the crash that led to the death of former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, Spanish investigators have ruled in court.
Jota and Silva were killed in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3, 2025, when their Lamborghini veered off the A‑52 motorway near Cernadilla.
Following an investigation, a Spanish court has determined that the crash was due to the Lamborghini suffering a blown-out tyre while overtaking a car, before bursting into flames upon hitting a barrier in the middle of the carriageway.
The High Court of Justice in the province of Zamora, north-west Spain, has concluded that no criminal action is necessary regarding the deaths of both Jota and Silva, following the review of the entire evidence.
In a report from The Athletic, it is revealed that the courts ‘dismissed the case last November’ after the reviewing of the case file, and the aid of road traffic collisions experts.
‘The dismissal of the criminal proceedings does not preclude the possibility of the affected parties bringing a civil action to claim whatever they deem appropriate,’ an insider from the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y Leon went on to tell the outlet.
A Spanish court has dismissed criminal proceedings over the car crash that led to the death of Diogo Jota
Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva (left) were killed in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3, 2025
The brothers were on a road trip to the northern Spanish port city of Santander, in order to catch a ferry to the UK as Jota was due to return to Liverpool for pre-season.
Jota was driving after being advised by medical professionals not to travel by plane following lung surgery earlier in the summer.
He had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso at a church in Porto, Portugal, just 11 days before the devastating collision.
A funeral was held for both Jota and Silva two days after their devastating deaths in a chapel in Gondomar, a city that overlooks Porto, where both brothers played during their academy careers.
The Liverpool squad attended the funeral, with club captain Virgil van Dijk carrying a wreath in the shape of a football shirt, featuring Jota’s No20, into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.
Andrew Robertson, who was a close friend of Jota, carried a wreath featuring the No30, the number that Silva wore at his club.
Silva was also a professional footballer at his time of death, playing for Portuguese second-tier side FC Penafiel, after coming through the Porto academy.
A number of touching tributes have been made in memory of both Jota and Silva since their tragic passing.
Liverpool retired Jota’s No20 shirt across all teams in the summer, while supporters have continued to honour their former hero by singing his song on the 20th minute at every home game this season.
Several tributes have been made in memory of both Jota and Silva since their tragic passing
Liverpool’s owners FSG also committed to looking after Rute and their three children. This commitment included confirming they would honour the entirety of his Liverpool contract.
The contract, which was reported to be worth in the region of £140,000 per week, was due to expire in 2027.
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Diogo Jota’s widow Rute pays tribute to honour Liverpool tragic hero
Two of their three children had appeared as mascots when Jota’s former clubs Liverpool and Wolves met in the Premier League back in December.
Fans from both teams paid heartfelt tributes to Jota throughout the game, with Rute offering her thanks to both sets of supporters post-match.
‘From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the club and to all the fans for the love, respect and support shown during this incredibly difficult time,’ she wrote on Instagram following the match.
‘Your messages and gestures have meant more than words can express.’
Jota had been an important player last season as Liverpool claimed their 20th league title, contributing 10 goals for Arne Slot’s side.
