Crime & Safety

Driver In Deadly Oakland Twp. Hit-And-Run Flees Country: Complaint

A woman who police believe was behind the wheel of a deadly Oakland Township hit-and-run crash fled to Thailand, federal officials said.

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, MI — A woman who police believe was behind the wheel of a deadly Oakland Township hit-and-run crash has fled the country, according to a criminal complaint.

Benjamin Kable, 22, was fatally struck by a car in the southbound lane of Rochester Road near Whims Lane at 5:49 a.m. on New Year's Day, police said. Police do not know if Kable was standing or walking in the roadway.

Oakland Township resident Tubtim Howson, who also goes by Sue, was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury or death after police found the BMW they believe was used in the crash.

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Officials believe Howson, 58, was on her way to work in Birmingham on New Year's Day morning when she struck Kable. After the crash, witnesses told police the driver remained "in the area for a short period of time" before driving away.

Federal officials now accuse Howson of traveling internationally "with intent to avoid prosecution or imprisonment" in connection to the deadly crash after they believe she told a close associate she was fleeing to Thailand.

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"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 was she going back to Thailand," officials said in the complaint. "When encouraged to turn herself in to police, Howson allegedly stated, ‘no cops, no cops.’"

Federal officials said travel records show Howson flew out of Detroit on a one-way-ticket to Thailand. After making several connecting flights, officials believe Howson landed in Bangkok, Thailand on Jan. 5, according to the complaint.

Thailand does have an extradition agreement with the U.S., and will allow extradition requests in certain situations.

The FBI’s Detroit Field Office is working to locate Howson, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

"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 Michael Bouchard said.

Kable, originally from Shelby Township and a Rochester High School graduate, was a senior at Michigan State University working on an electrical engineering degree and home for the holidays, according to an obituary notice.

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