A driver who killed a 12-year-old schoolboy in a hit-and-run incident before fleeing to Latvia has admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Dolars Aleksanders, 23, entered his guilty plea today at Warwick Crown Court for the death of Keaton Slater. The boy was struck by a BMW on Radford Road in Coventry on June 14, 2024, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Aleksanders, who is originally from Latvia, was extradited to the United Kingdom on August 5, following an extensive inquiry involving West Midlands Police and Europol.
Keaton's parents were present in the court as Aleksanders entered his plea via video link from HMP Dovegate. The judge, Matthew Walsh, noted the seriousness of the offense and stated that Aleksanders would face a lengthy sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for November 13 and will be determined by Judge Kristina Montgomery KC.
According to West Midlands Police, Aleksanders was driving a black BMW at speeds exceeding 70 mph when he hit Keaton, who was attempting to cross the road shortly after 4:30 p.m. The vehicle was discovered abandoned more than six miles away approximately 20 minutes after the collision.
In a statement released through West Midlands Police, Keaton's parents shared their journey through grief and their fight for accountability. "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," the statement read. "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." They expressed that while no sentence can bring their son back, the guilty plea signifies that Keaton's life and the circumstances of his death have been acknowledged. "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," they added.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Lewis, who led the investigation, commented on the impact of Aleksanders' actions. "Keaton should have had his life ahead of him, but the selfish and reckless actions of Aleksanders took this away from him," Lewis stated. "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." Lewis also highlighted the determination of everyone involved in the investigation to ensure accountability.
Prosecutors informed the court that footage of the incident and victim personal statements will be presented during the sentencing hearing. Aleksanders' legal team intends to apply for him to attend the sentencing hearing via video link.