Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email »
7:30pm Monday 30th June 2008
An Oxford United football fan killed on an unlit road while walking home from a night out has been described by friends as a 'real joker' who will be missed.
Hairdresser Jonathan Diliberto, 22, died after a collision with a black Renault Clio on the A338 between East Hanney and Frilford in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The former Fitzharrys School pupil, of Gardiner Close, in Abingdon, was walking with a group of seven friends aged between 15 and 22 following an end of year school party at East Hanney War Memorial Hall.
The car was driving towards Frilford and came from behind the group, colliding with Mr Diliberto and his friend, named locally as 18-year-old Ben Thompson.
Mr Diliberto - who worked as a hairdresser at his father's salon, Giovanni's Barber Shop, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford - died at the scene.
Mr Thompson was still in hospital tonight with serious injuries.
Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene.
Today friend Daniel Webb, 18, said: "He was a real joker. He was great fun and always there for his friends. He used to make people laugh.
"Quite often he would take a bunch of us in his car to away games and never ask for any money for petrol. He just like going to the games.
"I was in shock when I was told. I phoned his mum and she just said 'Danny, he's gone'. I can't believe it. Lots of people will miss him."
Dozens of tributes have been posted on the Oxford Mail website and Oxford United fans' forum.
One read: "Such a tragic loss. Thoughts with all the family and friends."
Friends described him as fan of both Oxford United and Manchester United.
Among roadside tributes was one which read: "For my darling grandson, I will always love you, Nana."
Another said: "I have loved you all your short life, I will always loved you, sweet dreams, Bernie."
Chris Bolton, of East Hanney, also left a floral tribute which read: "I only helped on the scene, rest in peace."
Police are appealing for anyone who saw the collision or witnessed the black Renault Clio before the incident to come forward.
Detectives have spoken to the driver but no one has been arrested.
Sgt Bill Sykes said: "There may have people that could have seen the group of men walking along the road or the car being driven before the collision. Those people who were there are quite shaken up, and we are still in the process of speaking to them."
Anyone with information should call 08458 505505.
tasha p, abingdon says...
9:15am Tue 1 Jul 08
marjie binningley, abingdon says...
10:04am Tue 1 Jul 08
Sam T, oxfordshire, Abingdon says...
10:55am Tue 1 Jul 08
Gem R, Abingdon says...
11:39am Tue 1 Jul 08
Emma, Chalgrove, Oxford says...
12:31pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Dec Fulton, Abingdon says...
1:05pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Jamie, oxford says...
1:24pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Chrissy, Kidlington says...
2:15pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Mouse O'Donoghue, www.drumnbassmasters
.co.uk says...
3:45pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Chloe, Abingdon says...
4:19pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Up The Manor!, London Road says...
4:36pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Nathan gee, BlackBird Leys says...
4:40pm Tue 1 Jul 08
BigDave, Mortimer nr Reading says...
5:10pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Mike Butler, Abingdon says...
5:22pm Tue 1 Jul 08
emma avery, abingdon says...
5:28pm Tue 1 Jul 08
MUGGY, Abingdon says...
6:02pm Tue 1 Jul 08
maria, Abingdon says...
6:04pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Butlers, abingdon says...
6:16pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Adam, Abingdon says...
6:34pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Chris, east hanney says...
7:26pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Josh, Kennington says...
8:18pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Frenchy, North leigh says...
8:28pm Tue 1 Jul 08
mel, abingdon says...
8:32pm Tue 1 Jul 08
gem m, abingdon says...
9:00pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Sam, Abingdon says...
10:08pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Kerri, says...
10:25pm Tue 1 Jul 08
steve, banbury says...
10:25pm Tue 1 Jul 08
knighty & abingdon yunguns, says...
10:31pm Tue 1 Jul 08
jamie, oxford says...
11:27pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Rachel, Didcot says...
11:35pm Tue 1 Jul 08
Oxford stewards, Didcot says...
12:05am Wed 2 Jul 08
josey, oxford says...
12:31am Wed 2 Jul 08
Terry Chandler, Oxford says...
12:46am Wed 2 Jul 08
Hannah, Oxford says...
1:16am Wed 2 Jul 08
natasha challis, abingdon says...
3:14pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Yellow, Banbury says...
3:23pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Jacqui&&Tash
aa, Abingdon says...
4:10pm Wed 2 Jul 08
lee mitchell, abingdon says...
9:15pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Wiggy, Abingdon says...
1:34am Thu 3 Jul 08
Nicola, eynsham says...
4:47pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Jayne, Oxford says...
6:45pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Lewis Parry, Abingdon says...
4:09pm Sat 5 Jul 08
lucy, wantage says...
8:08pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Kat, Milton Keynes says...
5:31pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Oxford Mail account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Find your next job now in Oxfordshire
Search Now »
Make a date in Oxfordshire now!
Search Now »
Oxfordshire homes for sale and to let
Search Now »
Cars for sale in Oxfordshire
Search Now »
junior, oxford says...
2:42am Tue 1 Jul 08