A Thai-American woman living in Michigan who fled to Thailand after allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a college student has agreed to return to the United States to face charges, police said Wednesday.
Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, allegedly punched Michigan State University student Benjamin Kable, 22, shortly before dawn on January 1 and, according to US authorities, flew to Thailand on a one-way ticket. on January 3. The accident took place in Oakland County, Michigan.
A state charge was filed on February 2 for failure to stop in a serious accident, and a federal charge related to his flight out of the country was filed on February 6.
Thai National Police Deputy Chief Surachate Hakparn, speaking at a press conference also attended by Howson, announced that she intends to return to the United States to face the charges, and that preparations are being made for her to return before the Sunday.
MICHIGAN WOMAN CHARGED IN NEW YEAR’S DEATH OF COLLEGE STUDENT FLEEES TO THAILAND: FBI
“I left home for work around 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. It’s winter and it was very dark. Usually there was no one walking on the road except deer,” Towson said, recounting the incident. accident. She said that she initially thought she had hit a deer, but when she was later asked why she fled to Thailand, she replied that when she saw Kable’s body, she thought he must be dead.
“I didn’t think I would run away, but I was very surprised. I tried to call the police but my hands were shaking. I couldn’t do anything,” she said.
National Police Deputy Chief Surachet Hakpal, left, speaks to reporters with Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, at the police headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 15, 2023. Howson reportedly struck a Michigan State University student shortly before dawn on January 1, 2023. (Royal Thai Police via AP)
The FBI, when filing a federal charge against her, noted in a court filing that she was originally from Thailand and allegedly told a close associate after the accident that she thought she had killed someone and was going back to Thailand.
THE MICHIGAN SHERIFF IS CONCERNED THAT THE WOMAN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF A COLLEGE STUDENT WILL TRY TO AVOID EXTRADITION
“When encouraged to turn himself in to police, Howson allegedly said, ‘no cops, no cops,'” FBI agent Matthew Schuff said in the filing.
Towson arrived in Thailand on January 5 and police said they began tracking her on January 12 at the request of the FBI and found her on January 14 in the western province of Ratchaburi, where they suggested she turn herself in.
Thailand and the US have an extradition treaty, and if a suspect challenges an extradition order, they must go through a Thai court, which can be a lengthy process.
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Surachate said Howson has been working and living in Michigan with his family and two children for more than 20 years.
“We did not arrest her. After learning the facts, she showed the intention to accept the punishment in the United States,” she said. “This will be a good example for Thai society.”
