Mother of hit-and-run sufferer, 12, appeals for public to search out suspect
The mother of a 12-year-old boy who died after a hit-and-run in Coventry has issued a tearful appeal for public help to track down a suspect wanted by police.
Keaton Slater’s mother, Louise Slater, told a news conference on Wednesday that the death of her son, who was struck by a BMW car in Coventry last Friday, had left his family devastated.
She appealed for information about the whereabouts of 21-year-old Latvia-born Dolars Aleksanders, who is being sought on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Flanked by Keaton’s father, Clint, and brothers Kai, 13, and Keanu, 17, his 51-year-old mother wiped away tears as she said: ‘We were a family of five but now we are four.
Keaton Slater’s mother, Louise Slater, appealed for information about the whereabouts of 21-year-old Latvia-born Dolars Aleksanders, who is being sought on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving
The force has released an image of Dolars Aleksanders, 21, who is wanted on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving
Keaton Slater was hit by a black BMW on Radford Road in Coventry on June 14 at around 4.30pm – he tragically died shortly after from his injuries
‘Our lives will never be the same again and Keaton’s brothers, dad, nana and granddad and myself are devastated.
‘The whole family, his school friends are all heartbroken.’
Although she said she had initially been reluctant to make a public appeal, the grieving mother added: ‘Hearing that whoever did this will not hand themselves in has left us all feeling helpless and we need to get justice for our Keaton.
‘We just want everyone to find who took our son – Keanu and Kai’s little brother – away from us.
‘Our little, fun-loving joker made everyone laugh all the time. Who did this to Keaton has taken everything away from us all.
‘Please if anyone knows anything… please come forward so we can have justice for our family.’
In a separate statement also read to the media by Louise Slater, Keaton’s brother, Keanu, said: ‘I will never be able to see him joke around with us again, never be able to see him grow my age.
‘There are not enough words to describe what he meant to us all. Our best friend, our little brother, a son and now an angel, all in one person.’
Radford Road where the incident happened. Keaton’s family have paid tribute to a ‘fun-loving little comedian’ who was ‘so beautiful inside and out’
He has been remembered for being an avid supporter of Coventry City FC and was described as being the ‘light and soul’ of life
Keaton was hit by a black BMW, which allegedly failed to stop, on Radford Road in Coventry on June 14 at around 4.30pm.
West Midlands police believe there were four people in the car, which was later found abandoned in New Arley, at the time of the incident.
Coventry City fan Keaton, whose family all wore the club’s colours during the news conference, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sergeant Rich Evans, of the West Midlands’ serious collision investigation unit, said: ‘We have already made arrests and spoken to a number of people who were also in that car.
‘We are working with all our partner agencies to try and establish the whereabouts of the suspect.
‘We are also fully aware that the suspect was born in Latvia and we are doing further inquiries with our international counterparts.’
Floral tributes left for 12-year-old Keaton Slater on Radford Road, Coventry, where Keaton was killed in a hit-and-run incident
Funds are now being raised via a Just Giving campaign to support his loved ones as the community rallies together following the tragedy
Another 21-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving on Tuesday, has been released on bail.
Police are treating a third man as a witness and have interviewed a fourth male.
A fifth man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody.
Funds are being raised via a Just Giving campaign to support Keaton’s loved ones as the community rallies together following the tragedy.
Organiser John McDevitt said: ‘No parent should ever have to deal with the trauma of losing a child so young.
‘His family has been told about the JustGiving page and is very grateful that it is being done as they try and deal with what has happened.’
Mr McDevitt added: ‘It will help the family with funeral expenses and any other living costs giving them time to begin to process and mourn the loss of their son and brother without having the extra burden of worrying about paying for a funeral and going to work.’
On Saturday, community members paid tribute to the youngster and said that many were in ‘shock and disbelief’ following the incident.
Nearby resident Tejinder K Kundi told Coventry Telegraph: ‘It happened around the corner from where we live and the whole neighbourhood is in shock and disbelief.’
Coventry City Councillor Jayne Innes said: ‘A child has lost his life, my love, thoughts and prayers with his family, friends and school.’
