Liverpool player and Portuguese international Diogo Jota died in a car accident today at kilometer 65 of the A-52 highway in Zamora Province, Spain. According to Spanish media, the A-52 was ranked among six worst two-lane highways in Spain by the Spanish Consumers' Organization (OCU) following a survey of 1,259 drivers. The highway has been criticized for its deteriorated road conditions in urgent need of repair, lack of service areas, and missing guardrails.
The stretch also sees high frequency of wild animal sightings, with wolf packs often crossing the road, causing vehicles to swerve unexpectedly. Additionally, Spain’s Ministry of Transport initiated a tender process for the highway’s repair project in 2022, including partial demolition and replacement of road lanes, as well as resurfacing with a wearing course across the entire road width (including shoulders). However, the renovations remain incomplete to date.
Local authorities attribute the road’s poor maintenance to budget delays and bureaucratic hurdles, despite multiple accidents reported along the A-52 in recent years. Jota’s tragic death has reignited calls for urgent improvements to Spain’s high-risk highways.
