'HIT-AND-RUN' VICTIM, 12, IN COVENTRY IS NAMED AS KEATON SLATER
- Youngster has been remembered as an avid supporter of Coventry City FC
- Police have urged those responsible to 'do the right thing' and come forward
- Keaton was struck by a BMW while as he crossed a road on Friday afternoon
A young football fan tragically killed in Coventry after a car failed to stop as he crossed the road has been named as 12-year-old Keaton Slater, as police urged those responsible to 'do the right thing' and come forward.
Keaton was said to be crossing Radford Road near Aldi at around 4.30pm on Friday when he was struck by a BMW
Paramedics attended, but the 12-year-old was found critically injured and died at the scene, West Midlands Police said.
Keaton has been remembered for being an avid supporter of Coventry City FC and was described as being the 'light and soul' of life.
Funds are now being raised via a JustGiving campaign to support his loved ones as the community rallies together following the tragedy.
At the time of publication, more than £24,000 had been raised.
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.'
Taiwo Owatemi, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Coventry North West, said her 'thoughts and prayers' were with the family and added: 'My heart breaks for Keaton Slater who has sadly passed away following a 'hit-and-run' on Radford Road.'
On Saturday, Sergeant Rich Evans urged anyone involved in the fatal collision to 'do the right thing' and come forward.
No arrests have yet been made, West Midlands Police said.
Sergeant Rich Evans, from the 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.'
He added: 'We are helping to support the family at this very difficult time as they try to comprehend what has happened.'
Anyone with information, including dashcam footage, is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting 3407-140624, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.