Woman who fled to Thailand after alleged hit-and-run will return to US

An American-Thai woman from Michigan who fled to Thailand after allegedly killing a Michigan State University student in a fatal hit-and-run will return to the United States to face charges. Tubtim ‘Sue’ Howson, 57, allegedly struck MSU student Benjamin Kable (pictured left), 22, in her 2016 white BMW 320i, shortly before dawn on January 1 while the college student was walking along Rochester Road in Oakland County, Michigan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two days after the deadly hit-and-run — in which she claims she thought she hit a deer — Howson flew to Thailand on a one-way ticket, according to U.S. authorities. When Howson confided to friends about the deadly crash they urged her to turn herself into the police, but she allegedly responded ‘No Cops, No Cops,’ according to Yahoo News. Thai deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn announced at a news conference on Wednesday that Howson will return to the United States before Sunday and face charges that include interstate flight to avoid prosecution and failure to stop at a scene resulting in death. A state charge of failing to stop at a serious accident was filed on February 2nd and a federal charge related to her flying out of the country was filed on February 6th, the Associated Press reported.

Thai deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (pictured left) said preparations were being made for Howson to fly back to Michigan before Sunday. Hakparn said ‘we did not arrest her.’ ‘After she knew the facts, she showed the intention to accept the punishment in the U.S. This will be a good example for Thai society,’ he said. The Thai deputy national police chief said Howson has been working and living in Michigan with her family and two children for more than 20 years. At the news conference Howson spoke recalling the tragic day. ‘I left home for work around 5.30 am to 6 am. It is the wintertime and it was very dark. There was usually nobody walking on the road there, except deer.’ She said she initially thought she had hit a deer, but when asked later why she fled to Thailand, she responded that when she saw Kable’s body, she thought he must be dead.

‘I did not think I would run away, but I was very shocked,’ she said. ‘I tried to call the police but my hands were shaking. I could not do anything.’ The FBI, when it filed a federal charge against her, noted in a court filing that she was originally from Thailand and allegedly told a close associate after the crash that she thought she killed somebody and she was going back to Thailand. ‘When encouraged to turn herself in to police, Howson (pictured) allegedly stated, ‘no cops, no cops,’ FBI agent Matthew Schuff said in the filing. Howson arrived in Thailand on January 5th, and police said they started to trace her on January 12th at the FBI’s request, finding her two days later on January 14th in the western province of Ratchaburi, where they suggested she turn herself in.

Thailand and the U.S. have an extradition treaty, and if a suspect challenges an extradition order, it must go through a Thai court, which can be a lengthy process. Kable was a senior at MSU studying electrical engineering. His family said he loved hunting, fishing, playing video games, and spending time with his friends and family, according to his GoFundMe. ‘He was a gentle soul who you could always rely on and was always there if you needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to,’ Marie Karam organizer of the fundraiser said. ‘If you ever needed a good laugh Benjamin was the person you would turn to.’ As of Wednesday evening, nearly $11,700 has been raised towards their goal of $25,000. 

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