OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Authorities believe a Michigan woman fled to Thailand to avoid the consequences of a hit-and-run crash that killed a suburban Detroit college student on New Year’s Day.
Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, was charged Monday with a federal crime related to her sudden one-way flight to Bangkok on Jan. 3.
Benjamin Kable, 22, was struck while walking before dawn on an Oakland County road on Jan. 1. The Michigan State University student, who was home for the holidays, died at the scene.
A state charge of failing to stop at a serious accident was filed on Feb. 2.
“Howson, a United States citizen, is 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,” FBI agent Matthew Schuff said in a court filing.
“When encouraged to turn herself in to police, Howson allegedly stated, ‘no cops, no cops,’” Schuff said.
The United States and Thailand have an extradition treaty.
“I call on the Thai government to extradite her so we can hold her accountable for her actions involving this young man’s tragic death,” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said.
