Tubtim “Sue” Howson, 57, of Oakland Township, Michigan, was the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed Benjamin Kable, 22, a Michigan State University student, on New Year’s Day 2023. Howson allegedly hit Kable with her car while he was walking on Rochester Road south of Whims Lane in Oakland County, and left the scene without calling 911 or providing any aid. She then flew to Bangkok, Thailand, two days later, using her dual citizenship to evade prosecution.
The Victim: Benjamin Kable
Benjamin Kable was a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in supply chain management. He was home for the holidays and had attended a New Year’s Eve party with his friends. He had taken an Uber but was kicked out of the vehicle for an unknown reason on Rochester Road. He was struck by Howson’s car around 5:49 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. He was described by his family and friends as a smart, kind, and fun-loving person who had a bright future ahead of him.
The Investigation: How Howson Was Identified and Extradited
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into the hit-and-run case and released a surveillance video of the suspect’s vehicle, a silver 2019 Ford Escape, to the public. They also offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver. A tip from an anonymous caller led them to Howson’s residence in Oakland Township, where they found her car with damage consistent with the crash. They also discovered that she had booked a flight to Thailand on Jan. 3 and left the country.
The sheriff’s office then contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of State to locate and apprehend Howson in Thailand. They also obtained an arrest warrant for her on the charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. In addition, they filed a federal charge of interstate flight to avoid prosecution against her.
Howson was arrested by Thai authorities in February 2023 and extradited to the U.S. in March 2023. She was held on a $1 million bond at the Oakland County Jail while awaiting trial.
The Outcome: How Howson Pleaded and Was Sentenced
Howson pleaded no contest to the state charge of failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death in June 2023. A no-contest plea means that she accepted the conviction but did not have to admit guilt. She claimed that she thought she had hit a deer and was in shock after the crash. She also apologized to Kable’s family and expressed her sorrow for what happened.
In July 2023, Howson was sentenced by Judge Michael Warren to one to five years in prison with the Michigan Department of Corrections. She also faced deportation after serving her sentence. Kable’s family and friends were present at the sentencing and expressed their anger and grief over their loss. They said that Howson’s sentence was too lenient and that she deserved more punishment for her actions.
