Driver Involved in New Year’s Day Hit and Run Fatality of MSU Student a Step Closer to Returning to Michigan!

Oakland County, MI – Feb 24, 2023 – An Oakland Township woman accused in the New Year’s Day crash that killed 22-year-old Michigan State University student Benjamin Kable has returned to the United States.

Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, is in custody while she awaits a detention hearing Tuesday that would clear the way for her return to Michigan on both state and federal charges. She 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. A conviction on either charge carries up to five years in prison. She returned to the United States earlier this week.

“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 said today. “Details on her return to Michigan will be provided as they become available.”

Investigators believe Howson was the driver of the vehicle that struck Kable, a Shelby Township resident, while he was either standing or walking on Rochester Road south of Whims in Oakland Township. The crash happened at approximately 5:49am on Jan. 1. Howson fled the scene after the crash. Investigators obtained a description of the vehicle and believed the driver was a female of Asian descent. A tip led investigators to identify Howson as the driver.

Howson, who is a dual citizen of both the United States and Thailand, left Michigan on Jan. 3 and flew to Bangkok. She was picked up by authorities in Thailand and was taken into custody when her flight landed in the U.S

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February 24, 2023, Oakland County Sheriff and Rochester.Life staff