By James Simons-
A man accused of causing the death of a 12-year-old boy in an alleged hit-and-run collision has been extradited from Latvia to the United Kingdom, marking a significant breakthrough in a cross-border investigation that has spanned more than two years.
Dolars Aleksanders, 23, has been returned to Britain to face prosecution over the death of Keaton Slater, who died after being struck by a black BMW on Radford Road in Coventry in June 2024. Following his extradition, Aleksanders was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and remanded in custody ahead of an appearance before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
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The case has attracted widespread public attention since the fatal collision, which claimed the life of the schoolboy and prompted an extensive investigation by West Midlands Police. Detectives worked with law enforcement agencies in both the United Kingdom and Latvia to trace the suspect before his arrest by Latvian authorities last month.
After being detained overseas, Aleksanders was extradited to Britain in an operation involving several national and international agencies. He was flown into Gatwick Airport before being transferred to a custody facility in the West Midlands, where he was formally charged.
The extradition represents the culmination of months of international cooperation involving West Midlands Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Home Office, Latvian authorities, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC), CPS International and the CPS Extradition Unit. The coordinated effort reflects the increasingly important role of international partnerships in ensuring that suspects wanted for serious offences can be returned to the United Kingdom to face justice.
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Confirming the charge, CPS prosecutor Ben Samples said the decision followed a detailed review of evidence gathered during the police investigation into the fatal road traffic collision that resulted in Keaton Slater’s death. He said prosecutors were satisfied there was sufficient evidence to bring criminal proceedings and thanked the numerous agencies whose cooperation enabled the suspect’s return to the UK.
The investigation highlights the complexities that can arise when suspects leave the country following serious criminal allegations. Modern extradition procedures require close collaboration between police forces, prosecutors and foreign judicial authorities, with each stage subject to legal safeguards designed to protect the rights of those involved while ensuring that criminal cases can proceed.
For Keaton’s family, the latest development marks an important milestone in a case that has remained under investigation since the tragedy unfolded in June 2024. His parents have been kept informed throughout the investigation and continue to receive support from specially trained family liaison officers, who have worked closely with them during what has undoubtedly been an immensely difficult period.
The death of a child in any road collision has a profound impact not only on the immediate family but also on the wider community. Fatal incidents involving young victims often leave lasting emotional scars, while prompting renewed debate about road safety, dangerous driving and the responsibilities of motorists. The case has resonated deeply in Coventry, where many have continued to follow developments since Keaton lost his life.
The prosecution also demonstrates the determination of UK authorities to pursue criminal investigations beyond national borders. International policing has become increasingly sophisticated, with agencies such as Europol providing intelligence-sharing and operational support in cases where suspects move between jurisdictions.
Extradition agreements enable individuals accused of serious offences to be returned to the country where the alleged crime took place, ensuring that investigations are not frustrated simply because a suspect has travelled abroad.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s involvement reflects its responsibility to independently assess whether the available evidence provides a realistic prospect of conviction and whether bringing a prosecution is in the public interest. Only after those legal tests are met can criminal charges be authorised.
The focus will shift from the international investigation to the courts, where the evidence will be examined in accordance with the criminal justice system. The prosecution will seek to prove its case, while the defendant will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The proceedings remain at an early stage, and no findings have yet been made regarding the charge. As with all criminal cases before the courts, Dolars Aleksanders is presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The extradition nevertheless represents a significant development in one of the region’s most closely watched fatal collision investigations, bringing the case before a UK court and moving it a step closer to judicial determination after more than two years of investigation and international cooperation.
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