Woman accused of fatal hit-run returns to U.S. after fleeing to Thailand

The woman accused of fleeing to Thailand after committing a hit and run that killed Michigan State University student Benjamin Kable in Oakland Township is back in the United States, officials said on Friday.

Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, returned to the U.S. earlier this week and is in custody awaiting a Tuesday detention hearing to clear the way for her return to Michigan, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Howson faces a federal charge of interstate flight to avoid prosecution and a state charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death for the New Year’s Day crash on Rochester Road, south of Whims Road.

Investigators believe Howson was driving the car that struck Kable, 22, of Shelby Township, while he was standing or walking along the roadway shortly before 6 a.m. Jan. 1. Howson fled the scene after the crash, the sheriff’s office said.

A tip led investigators to identify Howson as the driver.

A dual citizen of the U.S. and Thailand, Howson left Michigan on Jan. 3 and was tracked to Bangkok, Thailand. She was picked up by authorities in Thailand and was taken into custody when her return flight landed in the United States, the sheriff’s office said.

Each charge Howson faces is punishable by up to five years in prison.

“We appreciate the assistance of the authorities in Thailand and are working closely with our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to return this defendant to Michigan so that she can be held accountable for her actions,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated in a news release. “Details on her return to Michigan will be provided as they become available.”