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Parents 'empty' on crash death boy's birthday

Family A young boy wearing a Coventry City shirt. He has short blonde hair, parted at the side, and the shirt is light blue with a crest on the front. Part of a glass-panelled wooden door is visible behind himFamily
Keaton was killed while on his way home from school

The parents of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run have vowed to fight for justice on what would have been his 13th birthday.

Keaton Slater died after being hit by a black BMW in Coventry while on his way home from school on 14 June.

His parents, Louise and Clint Slater, said they felt "empty" as they approached his birthday for the first time, six months after his death.

The couple are hoping to locate Dolars Aleksanders, 21, wanted by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, who the force believe is in Latvia.

Speaking to BBC CWR, Mrs Slater said she felt "empty" not having any presents to wrap for Keaton's birthday, which would have been on Friday.

"It's really hard," she said.

"We had a hard Christmas. I've tried to keep his name alight with the family.

"It was a lot harder because a lot of our traditions we couldn't do, because he was such a big part of them.

"He loved his birthday.

"I just don't know how I'm going to feel on the day."

Louise, wearing a blue checkered shirt and glasses, sits next to Clint Slater, wearing a Coventry City cap, glasses and a blue T-shirt, on a grey sofa. Behind them are two white cushions with different coloured lettering on them spelling our words - we can only see some like "when you miss".
Keaton's parents Louise and Clint Slater said it was 'horrible' knowing Friday would have been their son's birthday

The family are planning to set off 13 fireworks on his birthday to honour Keaton but Mr Slater said they do not want to make the day a big event.

"He should have been a teenager," he said.

"He'll never get to be a teenager. It's horrible."

Detectives from West Midlands Police said an investigation following Keaton's death identified Mr Alexsanders as a suspect.

The couple launched a petition in September in a bid to get the 21-year-old extradited from Latvia.

West Midlands Police A mugshot of Dolars Aleksanders, 21, with a grey background. He has short dark hair, swept to the right side of his face with a short dark beard. The collar of a dark top is just visible.West Midlands Police
Dolars Aleksanders, 21, is being sought by police after the hit-and-run crash that left Keaton with fatal injuries

Mr Slater said he felt like he was "banging my head against a wall" when talking about the investigation.

A spokesperson for the force said: "The tragic death of Keaton has touched us all and we remain focussed on getting justice for him and his family.

"The investigation into the collision and whereabouts of prime suspect Dolars Aleksanders, is still very much active.

"Our enquiries have been continuing and we've submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service."

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