A man has been extradited to face court proceedings in Birmingham today after being charged over the alleged hit-and-run death of a 12-year-old boy. Dolars Aleksanders was arrested in Latvia and flown to the UK last night in connection with the incident that killed schoolboy Keaton Slater.
The young victim was struck by a BMW while walking home from school on Radford Road in Coventry in June 2024, and tragically died at the scene. Aleksanders, now aged 24, was formally charged with causing death by dangerous driving by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Wednesday evening.
Extradition and legal process
Aleksanders was transported to Gatwick Airport and then taken into custody, where he remains on remand. He is scheduled to appear before magistrates at Birmingham Magistrates' Court today, Thursday, August 6. The case has involved collaboration between multiple agencies, including West Midlands Police, the Home Office, Latvian authorities, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC), CPS International, and the CPS Extradition Unit.
Ben Samples, a CPS spokesman, confirmed the decision to charge Aleksanders. He stated: “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.”
Cross-border cooperation
Samples highlighted the extensive international cooperation required to secure the extradition, noting: “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.”
The case underscores the complexity of cross-border legal actions, with authorities coordinating across multiple jurisdictions to ensure the suspect faced justice in the UK. The CPS has reminded all parties that proceedings are active, and Aleksanders retains the right to a fair trial.
Appeal for impartiality
In a statement, the CPS urged the public to avoid any reporting, commentary, or online sharing of information that could prejudice the legal proceedings. They emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of the trial process, which is a cornerstone of the UK justice system.
The tragic death of Keaton Slater has deeply affected the Coventry community, with many expressing shock and grief over the loss of such a young life. The case has also raised awareness about road safety and the consequences of dangerous driving, particularly in residential areas near schools.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served for Keaton and his family, while upholding the principles of fairness and due process. The court appearance today marks a significant step in this ongoing case, bringing the suspect before UK authorities for the first time since the incident.
