See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GETHIN HICKS, REPORTER and ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 07:59 BST, 6 August 2026 | Updated: 13:00 BST, 6 August 2026
A man has been extradited to Britain and charged over the death of a schoolboy killed in an alleged hit-and-run more than two years ago. 'Fun-loving' Keaton Slater died aged 12 after being struck by a black BMW in Coventry in June 2024. Latvian national Dolars Aleksanders has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the collision on Radford Road which left the boy dead at the scene. The 23-year-old was detained last month and extradited back to the UK aboard a plane to Gatwick Airport on Wednesday. Appearing at Birmingham Magistrates' Court for a three-minute hearing on Thursday, Aleksanders spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.He was remanded to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on September 3. District Judge David Wain was told that Aleksanders is alleged to have been driving a 15-plate black BMW when he caused the death by driving dangerously on June 14 2024.Remanding Aleksanders in custody, District Judge Wain told the defendant: 'You have been returned to the United Kingdom in relation to these matters to face justice.' Coventry City fan Keaton Slater died aged 12 in June 2024 after being hit by a BMW Keaton was described by his devastated mother as a 'fun-loving, little joker' Dolars Aleksanders has been extradited to the UK and charged with causing death by dangerous drivingAleksanders, who was represented by defence lawyer Michael Boylan, was told the case can only be dealt with at the crown court.Keaton's parents Louise and Clint Slater were present in court for the short hearing, sitting in the public gallery alongside police officers.Speaking days after her son's death two years ago, Keaton's tearful mother Louise said: 'We were a family of five but now we are four. Our lives will never be the same again and Keaton's brothers, dad, nan and granddad and myself are devastated. 'The whole family, his school friends are all heartbroken.'She added: 'Hearing that whoever did this will not hand themselves in has left us all feeling helpless and we need to get justice for our Keaton.'We just want everyone to find who took our son - Keanu and Kai's little brother - away from us.'Our little, fun-loving joker made everyone laugh all the time. Who did this to Keaton has taken everything away from us all.'Please if anyone knows anything... please come forward so we can have justice for our family.'A statement from West Midlands released on Wednesday read: 'Dolars Aleksanders was detained last month and we've since worked with other agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National Crime Agency (NCA), to bring him back to the UK.'The 23-year-old was flown into Gatwick Airport earlier today and was then transported to a custody block in the West Midlands.'Aleksanders has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the fatal hit-and-run collision in Radford Road in June 2024. He has been remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court tomorrow (6 August).'Keaton's parents continue to be supported by specially trained officers. They have been fully updated around these developments and we thank them for their patience and support during our investigation.'CPS spokesman Ben Samples said in a statement: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has 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.'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court to pursue criminal proceedings.'CPS West Midlands has worked closely with West Midlands Police, Home Office, the Latvian authorities, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC), CPS International and our Extradition Unit to bring Mr Aleksanders back to face proceedings in a UK court for an alleged crime that took place here.'
