A Latvian man has been charged over the alleged hit-and-run death of a 12-year-old boy in Coventry two years ago, after being extradited to the UK. Dolars Aleksanders, 23, was taken into custody at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday night and is set to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court.
Charges and Extradition
Aleksanders faces one count of causing death by dangerous driving following the death of Keaton Slater, who was struck by a black BMW on Radford Road in Coventry on 14 June 2024, while walking home from school.
Ben Samples, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "We have decided to charge Dolars Aleksanders with one count of causing death by dangerous driving following a police investigation into a fatal road traffic collision that led to the death of Keaton Slater."
International Cooperation
Efforts to extradite Aleksanders began after West Midlands Police named him as a person of interest shortly after the crash. The CPS worked with West Midlands Police, the Home Office, Latvian authorities, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC), CPS International, and the Extradition Unit to bring him back.
Samples added: "Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court to pursue criminal proceedings."
Family Tributes
Keaton's parents, Clint and Louise Slater, previously said he was "just walking home that day, doing nothing wrong." His older brother Josh added: "Two years on and still does not feel real. You touched the hearts of thousands and thousands of people, Keats. We will always keep your memory alive."
Police Statement
West Midlands Police said: "A man has tonight (5 August) been charged over the death of 12-year-old Keaton Slater in Coventry after he was extradited from Latvia." The force said Aleksanders was detained last month and brought back with the help of the CPS and National Crime Agency (NCA).
He was flown into Gatwick Airport and transported to a custody block in the West Midlands. Keaton's parents continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
