A MAN named locally as the victim of a fatal crash in Cowley has been described as "kind, caring" and the "life and soul of the party".

Cristi Bichir, from Buzau, Romania, was killed when his blue Volvo S60 left the road and drove over a roundabout before crashing into a bush and catching fire in Garsington Road at about 2.40am on Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene outside Oxford Business Park, where friends this week placed flowers and candles in his memory.

Thames Valley Police said the 35-year-old's body has not been formally identified but it is understood his parents and sister in Romania have been informed.

Chiaga Bogda, a friend of Mr Bichir's, said he had a love of cars and had worked at a car wash in Cowley before recently being unemployed.

The 28-year-old, from Headington, added: "He was a very good guy, with a good heart. We will miss him."

Jessica Boyce, 22, another friend and Mr Bogda's partner, said: "Cristi was such a kind and caring person, he would do anything for anyone.

"He is going to be missed by everyone who knew him. He was the life and soul of the party and would always make everyone smile."

Details of the crash that killed Mr Bichir, who lived alone, have not been released by police.

But Mr Bogda claimed his friend had experienced trouble sleeping in the days leading up to his death, due to news that a close family member had terminal cancer.

He said: "I last spoke to him on Saturday. I don't know what he was doing out on Monday morning, it is very sad."

Police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen Mr Bichir's Volvo before it crashed to come forward.

Those with information should call 101.