Man sentenced for killing 12-year-old boy in hit-and-run in Coventry
Dolars Aleksanders fled to Latvia after killing Keaton Slater back in 2024
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A man's been jailed for 9 years and 4 months for killing a 12-year-old boy in a hit-and-run collision in Coventry.
Back in September, Dolars Aleksanders pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in Radford Road on 14th June 2024.
The 23-year-old was driving a BMW and travelling at more than 70mph when he struck Keaton Slater, who was attempting to cross the road, shortly after 4.30pm.
He died at the scene.
Aleksanders then drove off and the car was found abandoned in Frederick Road, Coventry - more than six miles away - around 20 minutes later.
Aleksanders was quickly established as the prime suspect, following enquiries from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), with a wanted appeal launched.
By that point though, he'd already left the UK and fled to Latvia.
He was traced to the northern European country, with police working with Europol, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), National Crime Agency (NCA) and other authorities to bring about his arrest and extradition.
After a year-long inquiry, Aleksanders was extradited to the UK on August 5 this year.
"We can finally say that justice has been done for Keaton"
Speaking in September after Aleksanders entered his plea, Keaton’s family said: “For two years, we have struggled to come to terms with Keaton’s death while also having to live with the devastating feeling that justice has not been done.
“We have had to endure the heartbreak of losing our son while waiting, hoping and fighting for accountability. There have been days when the pain has felt unbearable, and days when it has been difficult to see a way forward.
“Keaton should have been here. He should have been growing up, making memories, laughing, dreaming and living his life. Instead, we have had to learn to live in a world without him.
“But today, after two long and heartbreaking years, we can finally say that justice has been done for Keaton.
“Nothing will ever bring our beautiful boy back. No sentence, no outcome and no words can ever take away the pain of losing him. But finally having justice means that Keaton’s life and the circumstances surrounding his death have been acknowledged.
“We will never stop loving Keaton. We will never stop missing him. And we will never stop speaking his name.
“Keaton was more than the way he died. He was our son, our beautiful boy, and a huge part of our lives. He will always be remembered, always be loved, and always be in our hearts.”
"Keaton should have had his life ahead of him"
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Lewis, who has led the investigation, also spoke at the time: "This has always been about getting justice for Keaton and his family.
"Keaton should have had his life ahead of him, but the selfish and reckless actions of Aleksanders took this away from him.
"Aleksanders was speeding at an excessive level and would have known the impact of the collision. He could have sought to help Keaton but instead fled, leaving him to die and his family to deal with an unimaginable amount of grief and pain.
"Everyone that has heard Keaton’s story has been determined to do everything possible to catch the person responsible.
"This has been a complex investigation but we've always remained resolute and bonded by the belief that we would ensure Aleksanders was convicted for his appalling actions.
"Our thoughts, as always, are with Keaton's loved ones. They have shown such courage in adversity and we thank them for their understanding, support and patience."