The Michigan woman who fled to Thailand after being blamed for a fatal accident involving a college student on New Year’s Day has agreed to return to the United States, according to Thai officials.
Tubtim “Sue” Howson fatally shot Michigan State University student Ben Kable in his 2016 BMW 320i on Jan. 1 at 5:49 am, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents say Kable was “in the roadway” when he was hit by the BMW, but adds it wasn’t clear whether he was “standing or walking in the roadway when hit.” A report on the crash obtained by Fox News Digital shows that Kable was suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol, but that it was not a “contributing factor” to the crash.
Officials said Howson stopped the car for a short time before driving off. Travel logs reviewed by the FBI show Howson boarded a plane on Jan. 3 with stopovers in Dallas and Helsinki, Finland, arriving in Bangkok, Thailand, as his final destination. Howson is a US citizen and is originally from Thailand.
MICHIGAN SHERIFF, WOMAN CONCERNED ABOUT DEATH OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT WILL TRY TO AVOID EXTRADITION
Deputy National Police Chief Surachet Hakpal, left, talks to reporters with Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, during the news conference at the police headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Howson allegedly shot Benjamin Kable, Michigan State University student, 22, just before dawn on January 1. She flew to Thailand on a one-way ticket on Jan. 3, according to US authorities. (Royal Thai Police via AP) (Royal Thai Police via AP)
More than a month later, Thailand National Police Deputy Chief Surachate Hakparn told a news conference on Wednesday that Howson plans to return to the United States, adding that preparations are underway for his return flight by Saturday.
When Howson was encouraged by others to turn herself in, she allegedly said “no cops, no cops,” an FBI official wrote in a court document.
At the request of the FBI, Thai police began tracking Howson on January 12 and found her on January 14, suggesting that she turn herself in and return to the United States.
MICHIGAN WOMAN CHARGED IN NEW YEAR’S EVE DEATH OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT SEEK FOR EXTRADITION AFTER FLIES TO THAILAND
Ben Kable, Michigan State University student. (Ben Kable’s family)
Hakparn said Howson is not under arrest and has indicated intent to return to the United States.
“We didn’t arrest her. After learning the facts, she showed willingness to accept punishment in the United States,” he said. “This will be a good example for Thai society.”
According to the Bangkok Post, Howson fled to Thailand because she has a sister there and wanted to talk to her about the incident.
Howson said during Wednesday’s event that she thought she was going to be robbed before hitting Kable, according to the outlet.
MICHIGAN WOMAN ACCUSED IN NEW YEAR’S EVE DEATH OF COLLEGE STUDENT FLIES TO THAILAND: FBI
Ben Kable, a Michigan State University student, died on Jan. 1 when a car driven by Tubtim Howson fatally struck him in Oakland County, Michigan, according to FOX 2. (Ben Kable’s family)
“I thought I was going to get robbed… I was looking at the car on the side of the road. It was dark, and then I hit something in front of me… At first I thought I hit a deer, but then I realized I realize I hit a man,” Howson said.
“I didn’t think I would run away, but I was very shocked. I tried to call the police but my hands were shaking. I couldn’t do anything,” she added.
Howson is charged with failure to stop at the scene of a crime that resulted in serious injury or death, as well as a federal flight-out-of-country charge.
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Ben Kable on a boat. (Ben Kable’s family)
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office did not comment on Howson’s possible return when contacted by Fox News Digital. The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.
The Associated Press and Fox News’ Ben Evansky contributed to this report.
