A Latvian man accused of causing the death of a 12-year-old boy in a hit-and-run incident has been extradited to the United Kingdom and remanded in custody. Dolars Aleksanders, 23, appeared briefly at Birmingham magistrates’ court on Thursday, where he confirmed his identity and date of birth. He is charged with causing the death of Keaton Slater by dangerous driving in Coventry on June 14, 2024.
Keaton Slater, a student at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Coventry, died at the scene on Radford Road after being struck by a black BMW registered as a 15-plate vehicle. West Midlands Police said Aleksanders was detained in Latvia last month and was flown back to the UK via Gatwick Airport on Wednesday as part of a joint international effort.
The extradition process involved coordination between British and Latvian authorities, with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) working alongside West Midlands Police, the Home Office, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre, and CPS International. A CPS spokesperson confirmed that sufficient evidence exists to bring criminal proceedings against Aleksanders and that the extradition was carried out to ensure he faces justice in the UK.
During the hearing, District Judge David Wain informed Aleksanders that he had been returned to the United Kingdom to answer the charges. Aleksanders is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on September 3. Keaton’s parents, Louise and Clint Slater, were present in court along with police officers, receiving support from specially trained personnel.
West Midlands Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the victim’s family and pursuing the case through the judicial system.