Terrifying footage shows BMW car moments before boy, 12, was killed in hit and run with police launching hunt for driver
TERRIFYING footage snapped a BMW zooming along a busy street moments before it smashed into a schoolboy and killed him.
Keaton Slater, 12, had been heading home from school on Friday when a car ploughed into him in Coventry, then sped off.
Onlookers and paramedics tried to save the “amazing” youngster but he tragically died at the scene.
Cops quickly launched a manhunt to find the driver and passengers after they found the abandoned BMW.
They today put out a photo of a 21-year-old man wanted over the horror crash, and warned the public not to approach him.
Dolars Aleksanders is accused of taking off from the smash after 4.30pm on Friday, and CCTV of the BWM moments earlier has been released.
The footage snaps the busy Radford Road, with cars slowly rolling past and pedestrians seen crossing the street.
A dark-colored BMW then zooms along the road, and out of the shot.
One man handed himself in last night and was questioned before being released under investigation.
Coventry Police today released a mugshot of wanted man Aleksanders, asking anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately.
Tributes are already pouring in for young Coventry City FC fan Keaton.
His older sibling Josh Slater has also vowed to get justice for his “baby brother”.
He said: “RIP baby brother. You were the best uncle to my little Theo.
“And an amazing little brother to me. We will get you the Justice you deserve.
“Fly high and I’ll see you on the other side little brother. We loved you so much and we are all heartbroken.”
Other loved ones said: “We all will miss our fun-loving little comedian, he just wanted to make everyone laugh and smile.
We will get you the Justice you deserve.
“He was so beautiful inside and outside, our baby and little brother. Life can be so horrible.”
West Midlands Police Sgt Rich Evans has urged for those involved to “do the right thing”.
The top cop said: “A family has lost a 12-year-old boy in an appalling incident and our thoughts remain with them.
“We are offering them support at this most dreadful of times, and we’re keeping them informed as our work to trace those responsible goes on.
“We’d like to thank all those people who have already contacted us with information and our enquiries are progressing.
“But we’d again appeal for those involved, or anyone who knows them, to search their consciences, do the right thing, and tell us what you know.”
Anyone who sees Aleksanders should call 999 immediately, quoting log 3407 of June 14.
Cops are also appealing for anyone who has dashcam or doorbell camera footage, or CCTV to come forward.
West Midlands Police statements
Saturday June 15:
We are appealing for information after a 12-year-old boy was tragically killed in Coventry after he was hit by a car which failed to stop.
The collision took place shortly after 4.30pm last night (Friday) on Radford Road.
Despite the best efforts of our colleagues from the ambulance service the boy sadly died at the scene.
We are appealing for witnesses to the collision which involved a BMW vehicle or who may have any dash cam footage to please get in touch.
The vehicle was later seized but we are appealing for help to find the people who were in the vehicle at the time.
Sergeant Rich Evans, from our serious collision investigation unit, said: “We would appeal to the driver or for any of the passengers who were in the vehicle to do the right thing and to contact us. A 12-year-old boy has tragically lost his life and we need you to come forward and hand yourselves in.
“We are helping to support the family at this very difficult time as they try to comprehend what has happened.
“We also like to hear from witnesses or people with any information including dash cam footage to please contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log number 3407-140624.
“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
Saturday June 15:
‘He was so beautiful inside and out’. These are the words of a devastated family whose 12-year-old boy, Keaton Slater, died after being hit by a car which failed to stop in Coventry.
Investigators are today continuing work to trace the driver of the black BMW involved in the tragic collision in Radford Road shortly after 4.30pm on Friday.
Despite the efforts of paramedics Keaton was sadly pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
His family have paid tribute to the youngster, saying: “We all will miss our fun-loving little comedian, he just wanted to make everyone laugh and smile.
“He was so beautiful inside and outside, our baby and little brother. Life can be so horrible xx.”
We’ve seized a black BMW after it was found abandoned on Friday evening in New Arley and that is being forensically examined as we appeal again for the driver, or anyone else who was in the car, to come forward.
One person has handed themselves in to officers at a police station yesterday evening and they have been voluntarily questioned. They have now been released under investigation.
Officers are retrieving and reviewing CCTV from around the area and we’ve spoken with a number of witnesses as enquiries continue.
Sgt Rich Evans from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “A family has lost a 12-year-old boy in an appalling incident and our thoughts remain with them.
“We are offering them support at this most dreadful of times, and we’re keeping them informed as our work to trace those responsible goes on.
“We’d like to thank all those people who have already contacted us with information and our enquiries are progressing.
“But we’d again appeal for those involved, or anyone who knows them, to search their consciences, do the right thing, and tell us what you know.”
If you have dashcam or doorbell camera footage, or CCTV and haven’t yet spoken with us, please get in touch.
Or if you have any information that you believe will help, please let us know.
Contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101 quoting log number 3407-140624, or email FL_COLLISION_INVEST@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
For anyone who doesn’t want to give their details but wants to help, speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sunday June 16:
#WANTED | Have you seen Dolars Aleksanders?
The 21-year-old is wanted on suspicion of death by dangerous driving after a 12-year-old boy died following a collision in Radford Road, #Coventry on Friday (14 June).
If you’ve seen him, or know where he is, please don’t approach him but call 999 immediately, quoting log 3407 of 14 June.