Spanish court makes ruling on tragic death of Diogo Jota after information from experts

There is no criminal liability over the car crash that killed Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a Spanish court has ruled, after consultation with experts

Diogo Jota passed away in July 2025 after a fatal car crash(Image: 2025 Marc Atkins)

There is no criminal liability in the tragic car crash that killed Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July 2025, a Spanish court has ruled.

Jota and Silva died when the late Liverpool star crashed his car in the north-west of Spain on July 3, 2025. Jota was traveling back to England to report for preseason with Liverpool, but was then involved in a high-speed crash.

Liverpool has mourned Jota's loss all season, with tears shed at the recent charity legends game as former players paid their respects. More closure has followed after investigators ruled that no criminal proceedings would follow the deaths of Jota and Silva.

Investigators ruled that the Lamborghini driven by Jota suffered a high-speed blowout when overtaking another car before wrecking. The blowout caused the car to crash into the central reservation and burst into flames.

Evidence from the scene was reviewed extensively, and traffic collision experts were also consulted for information. The High Court of Justice for the region determined that no criminal proceedings can be brought over the deaths.

"The Court of First Instance in Puebla de Sanabria dismissed the case last November after assessing the documentary evidence in the file and, in particular, the expert reports issued by the Civil Guard’s Traffic Unit," sources close to the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y Leon told The Athletic.

Jota's Lamborghini was destroyed in the high-speed crash(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

"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."

Jota was advised by doctors to drive to Liverpool rather than fly, as he underwent minor lung surgery. Doctors were concerned about the cabin pressure if Jota flew back to England, so he instead chose to drive and take a ferry to the UK.

The Portuguese forward enjoyed a stunning 2024-25 season for both Liverpool and Portugal, winning the Premier League title before helping his country clinch the Nations League. After a successful campaign, Jota then married his wife, Rute Cardoso, but tragically died just days later.

Jota with his wife Rute Cardoso(Image: Instagram/diogoj_18)

Jota's brother, Silva, was also a professional soccer player in Portugal's second division for FC Penafiel. He previously played for Porto, as did Jota.

Liverpool fans have begun signing Jota's chant during the 20th minute of each game this season, honoring his jersey number, which has been retired. "The players and our fans and everyone connected to the football club… everybody has conducted themselves so well," head coach Arne Slot said

"Every game in the 20th minute, the fans sing for him. And from the moment it happened until now, I think I'm proud of how everyone has handled the situation.

"As a club, as players, as supporters, in my opinion, we couldn't have done better than we did."