Diogo Jota crash probe pinpoints road dangers

Diogo Jota crash investigators believe a blend of human error, poor lighting and a notoriously uneven road surface all contributed to the tragic collision that claimed the lives of the Liverpool striker and his brother André last weekend.

Why the A-52 is under scrutiny

The A-52 highway in northern Portugal has long been criticised by locals for its cracked tarmac and deep potholes. Emergency crews say they routinely avoid changing lanes because of sudden drops between sections of old and newly laid asphalt. In the Diogo Jota crash, tyre marks show the car veered sharply where one such ridge begins, suggesting the driver may have lost control after trying to dodge a pothole at 110 km/h.

Multiple factors under investigation

• Road condition: Inspectors found five separate potholes within 30 metres of the impact site.
• Night-time travel: The brothers set off after midnight to beat the daytime heat, but that decision meant navigating in near-total darkness on an unlit stretch.
• Vehicle load: Forensic engineers are examining whether extra luggage for their pre-season return to Liverpool affected braking distance.

Voices from the scene

A local ambulance driver told public broadcaster RTP, “We slow down to 70 km/h on that bend; you never know when the asphalt will give way.” Residents have demanded immediate resurfacing, noting three serious crashes there in the past year alone.

What happens next in the Diogo Jota crash case?

Portugal’s National Road Authority has ordered a full audit of the A-52, while Merseyside Police are assisting to clarify timeline details from the brothers’ phones and vehicle telemetry. Findings are expected within six weeks.

Opinion

Football often unites communities, but infrastructure failures can shatter them just as quickly. If the investigation confirms that road neglect played a decisive role, authorities must act fast—no family should lose loved ones because asphalt maintenance fell through the cracks.