Family pay tribute to 12-year-old Keaton Slater following fatal crash

Keaton's family described him as " beautiful inside and out"

Author: Rory GannonPublished 16th Jun 2024

The family of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a fatal collision in Coventry have paid tribute to their "fun-loving little comedian".

West Midlands Police confirmed that the boy has been identified as Keaton Slater, who died after a car failed to stop at Radford Road in the northwest of the city at 4:30p.m. on Friday (June 16th).

Investigations are continuing to trace the driver of the black BMW that was involved in the collision, although one person has handed themselves into police.

The person was voluntarily questioned by officers looking into the case and has now been released under investigation.

Keaton's family paid tribute to the child, saying "he was so beautiful inside and out", and that his presence will be missed.

"We all will miss our fun-loving little comedian, he just wanted to make everyone laugh and smile," the family said in a statement.

"He was so beautiful inside and outside, our baby and little brother. Life can be so horrible xx."

West Midlands Police have said they have seized a black BMW that had been abandoned on Friday evening in the New Arley area.

The force confirmed that the car is being examined, whilst they appealed to the driver - or anyone else who was in the vehicle - to come forward as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, officers are continuing to review CCTV footage of the area at the time of the hit-and-run incident, whilst enquiries are ongoing.

Speaking on the case, Sergeant Rich Evans from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, offering his support to the bereaved family.

"A family has lost a 12-year-old boy in an appalling incident and our thoughts remain with them," he said.

"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."

He once again appealed for information and witnesses to come forward as investigators piece together the events that lead to the collision.

Anyone with dashcam footage or CCTV of the area at the time of the crash is particularly being urged to get in touch.

Those who may be able to help the force can get in touch with West Midlands Police by calling 101 and quoting incident reference number 3407-140624.

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