Suspect in Michigan student's death accused of fleeing to Thailand

[webfact]

Benjamin Kable

 

Sheldon Krause
Lansing State Journal

 

PONTIAC — A driver who struck and killed a Michigan State University student on New Year’s Day has been charged in a federal warrant with fleeing the country to avoid prosecution, Oakland County officials said in a release.

 

The warrant was signed in U.S. District Court on Monday, charging Tubtim Howson with interstate flight to avoid prosecution, a five-year felony.

 

Howson, 57, was charged by Oakland County prosecutors last week with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in the death of Benjamin Kable, 22, of Shelby Township, which also is a five-year felony. Police have said it isn't clear whether Kale was walking or standing in the roadway when he was struck.

 

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called on the Thai government to extradite Howson. Bouchard also said that the FBI is working with Oakland County to return Howson to the state.

 

“I am proud of the work our team did to identify this individual and learn that she had fled the country right after the accident,” he said in a statement. “We immediately engaged our partners at the FBI to keep them in the loop as we sought warrants so that they in turn could seek federal warrants for flight.”

 

James Tarasca, Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, said that the agency is assisting in the effort to locate Howson. 

 

Full story: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/02/08/suspect-in-msu-student-hit-and-run-accused-of-fleeing-to-thailand/69885775007/

 

-- © Copyright  Lansing State Journal 2023-02-11

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[webfact]

Michigan Woman Accused Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Sought For Extradition 
By Adam Sabes – Fox News

 

Tubtim Howson in front of a car. File photo: FOX 2

 

Oakland Township, Mich. – Michigan authorities and the FBI are seeking extradition from Thailand for a woman charged in the death of a college student who fled the country allegedly to avoid being prosecuted.

 

Ben Kable, a student at Michigan State University, died on Jan. 1 after a 2016 BMW 320i driven by Tubtim “Sue” Howson, who is originally from Thailand but is a US citizen, fatally struck him in Oakland Township, Michigan, at around 5.49 a.m., according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Deputies say Kable was “in the roadway” when he was hit by the BMW, but it’s not clear if he was “standing or walking in the roadway when he was hit.” Kable was home for holiday break when he was killed, according to court documents.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/02/10/michigan-woman-accused-of-fatal-hit-and-run-sought-for-extradition/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2023-02-11

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[fusion58]

Sounds like this bimbo didn't really think things through, i.e., didn't search for a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S.

[BayArea]

Hit and run causing a fatality and flees the country leaving her family behind. 

Says a lot who she is.

[BananaStrong]

Thailand certainly doesn't have the best reputation in America.   Bangkok, for one, is a nice used to make jokes all day long.   People then usually say, "but I like Thai food" as if that is enough.   It definitely tastes way different.

 

Not the best publicity..................kills someone, wants to run, thinks globally........ Thailand.

 

Luckily this idiot picked wrong, and will be arrested, but it still doesn't put Thailand in a good light.

 

I'm sure she went to one of three cities beginning with a P or B.    lol   

[JimmyJ]

"Howson, 57, was charged by Oakland County prosecutors last week with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in the death of Benjamin Kable, 22, of Shelby Township, which also is a five-year felony."

 

 

Five years in USA for failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

 

Is this a crime in Thailand?

[Pique Dard]

..fleeing to thailand was obviously a bad idea, she should have tried russia

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, BayArea said:

Hit and run causing a fatality and flees the country leaving her family behind. 

Says a lot who she is.

Seems she has a penchant for fleeing bad situations.

First the accident then the country...

when she gets caught and extradited she'll realise she has just added 10 years to her sentence.

[cncltd1973]

3 hours ago, fusion58 said:

Sounds like this bimbo didn't really think things through, i.e., didn't search for a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S.

but if she also has thai citizenship,  will Thailand extradite?

[Hakuna Matata]

Welcome to the safe heaven for all criminals of the world! You will sure be safe over here in Thailand (sarcastic)...

[Hakuna Matata]

Looks like this BMW is a 300 HP beast, isn't it?

Edited February 11, 2023 by Hakuna Matata

[phetphet]

4 hours ago, BayArea said:

Hit and run causing a fatality and flees the country leaving her family behind. 

Says a lot who she is.

Many Thais flee the scene of accidents. Its often in the news here.

 

In fact, when I first came here, I was told that if I was ever involved in, or saw an accident involving a Thai, to not stop, because I would either be attacked by the locals, or blamed as a farang.

 

Heartless, but it seems she was just doing what many Thais do

[soi3eddie]

Given the low levels of proper traffic enforcement and official prosecutions, will Thailand extradite one it's own citizens who is "suspected" of traffic offence in the USA? Fleeing the scene is common in Thailand and life is cheap here. Will be interesting to see how the Thai authorities handle this. Suppose we are unlikely to hear if she is actually extradited, but certain the USA will not give up publicity of their extradition request.

 

[1duckyboy]

6 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Given the low levels of proper traffic enforcement and official prosecutions, will Thailand extradite one it's own citizens who is "suspected" of traffic offence in the USA? Fleeing the scene is common in Thailand and life is cheap here. Will be interesting to see how the Thai authorities handle this. Suppose we are unlikely to hear if she is actually extradited, but certain the USA will not give up publicity of their extradition request.

 

Well, her face is blurred out in the photo, that my tell you something. It's hard to find someone if you don't know what they look like.

[onthedarkside]

Off topic post reported and removed

[Bohemianfish]

Reading a news article, Daily Mail, I know, she may not be at fault. He was kicked out of an Uber, so probalby drunk. His dad said the road where he was dropped off was dangerous. Not well lit, to boot. 

 

Either way, she panicked, people do that. She may have thought she'd be in trouble when she may not have. Cultural thing? Worried about the police and the legal system as many  do and rightly so in a lot of instances.

[anchadian]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Michigan Woman Accused Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Sought For Extradition 
By Adam Sabes – Fox News

 

Tubtim Howson in front of a car. File photo: FOX 2

 

Oakland Township, Mich. – Michigan authorities and the FBI are seeking extradition from Thailand for a woman charged in the death of a college student who fled the country allegedly to avoid being prosecuted.

 

Ben Kable, a student at Michigan State University, died on Jan. 1 after a 2016 BMW 320i driven by Tubtim “Sue” Howson, who is originally from Thailand but is a US citizen, fatally struck him in Oakland Township, Michigan, at around 5.49 a.m., according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Deputies say Kable was “in the roadway” when he was hit by the BMW, but it’s not clear if he was “standing or walking in the roadway when he was hit.” Kable was home for holiday break when he was killed, according to court documents.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/02/10/michigan-woman-accused-of-fatal-hit-and-run-sought-for-extradition/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2023-02-11

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

 

https://thainewsroom.com/2023/02/10/michigan-woman-accused-of-fatal-hit-and-run-sought-for-extradition/

[klauskunkel]

Probably can find her at her Mom's house.

[AgMech Cowboy]

So many ridiculous comments. Obviously she didn't think it through. I hope she comes to her senses and turns herself in.

[marin]

6 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

Five years in USA for failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

 

Is this a crime in Thailand?

You forgot the part about " failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in the death of Benjamin Kable, 22,"

 

A young man was killed, she did not just flee the scene of an accident. She hit him and killed him then fled.  

[Liverpool Lou]

8 hours ago, fusion58 said:

Sounds like this bimbo didn't really think things through, i.e., didn't search for a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S.

Presumably she thought that she'd be safe in her own country.

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, cncltd1973 said:

but if she also has thai citizenship,  will Thailand extradite?

Why wouldn't Thailand comply with the extradition treaty?

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, phetphet said:

when I first came here, I was told that if I was ever involved in, or saw an accident involving a Thai, to not stop, because I would ... be ... blamed as a farang.

A myth.

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

will Thailand extradite one it's own citizens who is "suspected" of traffic offence in the USA?

If they wouldn't, what would be the point of the mutual extradition treaty that Thailand is party to?

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, 1duckyboy said:

Well, her face is blurred out in the photo, that my tell you something. It's hard to find someone if you don't know what they look like.

It's unlikely that her passport and Thai ID photos are blurred out.  The US authorities are not asking AN members to find her!

Edited February 11, 2023 by Liverpool Lou

[cdemundo]

7 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

..fleeing to thailand was obviously a bad idea, she should have tried russia

In the movies and on true crime shows they always say Venezuela has no extradition treaty with USA.

Warmer than Russia.

[ThailandRyan]

9 hours ago, fusion58 said:

Sounds like this bimbo didn't really think things through, i.e., didn't search for a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S.

With a name like Tubtim she must be Thai. So must have Thai nationality and fled to where she knows she can hide...possibly.

[NotReallyHere]

She can hide out here without much risk of capture if she has a Thai family support system that will help her out.  Thai media isn't helping much to locate her.  Very few articles in Thai media.  I've seen mention of her on a popular Facebook news site (Drama Addict, 3M followers).  They don't say her name or show her picture (to stay compliant with anti-defamation laws, I assume).  If Thailand gave a damn, they would show this on one of those endless news loops they have on ThaiRath (instead of showing security cam footage of random neighbors fighting).  That would probably flush her out.  Family in the US is probably also not cooperating.  Difficult to think she is wandering around Thailand without contacting her Thai or US family.  How would she fund her travels?  The families should talk some sense into her.  Or aid the authorities in finding her.  She's been in country since January 5th.  Still no Tubtim...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

9 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

"Howson, 57, was charged by Oakland County prosecutors last week with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in the death of Benjamin Kable, 22, of Shelby Township, which also is a five-year felony."

 

 

Five years in USA for failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

 

Is this a crime in Thailand?

 

Is anyone here actually surprised that a Thai national, in the aftermath of a serious traffic accident, ends up leaving the scene.

 

Happens here all the time, based on the local news reports we are regaled with.

 

 

 

 

 

[NotReallyHere]

I think the family of the victim should offer a reward for information leading to her capture.  I don't think it would take a lot of money to have some distant Thai relative spill the beans.  If she wasn't "generous" enough when she immigrated to the States, there will be incentive to rat her out.  On the other hand, now she can be extorted.  Sucks to be her...