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Driver who fled to Latvia after killing schoolboy jailed

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In short

The collision occurred on Radford Road in Coventry, where Dolars reached speeds of up to 76 mph in a 30 mph zone and was seen cutting in front of vehicles using the wrong lane. He fled the country within days, exploiting the lack of an extradition treaty with Latvia until concerted advocacy from the victim's family and local MP Taiwo Owatemi secured his transfer. Appearing before Warwick Crown Court, the 23-year-old admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Kristina Montgomery KC handed down a prison sentence of nine years and four months for the fatal incident.

Key points

  • Warwick Crown Court imposed a sentence of nine years and four months following Dolars' gu…: Warwick Crown Court imposed a sentence of nine years and four months following Dolars' guilty plea to causing death by dangerous driving.
  • Persistent campaigning by the victim's parents alongside Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owa…: Persistent campaigning by the victim's parents alongside Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi ultimately secured the fugitive driver's return to the UK.
  • The victim's family publicly voiced frustration regarding statutory release rules that re…: The victim's family publicly voiced frustration regarding statutory release rules that require the offender to serve only two-thirds of his sentence in custody.

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- Published

A speeding driver who fled to Latvia after killing a 12-year-old boy when he hit him at more than 70mph has been jailed.

Aleksanders Dolars evaded capture for Keaton Slater's death for more than two years because there was no extradition treaty between Latvia and the UK post-Brexit.

He was finally brought to justice in August this year when he was brought to England to appear at Warwick Crown Court following a determined campaign by Keaton's parents.

Dolars, 23, was jailed for nine years and four months by Judge Kristina Montgomery KC who told him: "Your selfish and dangerous driving took his life."

The court heard Dolars had been driving at 75-76mph in a 30mph zone when he struck the schoolboy in Coventry, killing him instantly.

Keaton, a devoted Coventry City fan, was travelling home from school with friends on 14 June, 2024, and had just got off a bus.

He had stepped out onto Radford Road and prepared to cross but the court heard he would not have seen Dolars' BMW at that time.

As it approached…

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