Suspect in MSU fatal hit and run who fled U.S. to be arraigned Friday
PONTIAC — A Thai American woman accused of fleeing the scene of a car accident that claimed the life of Michigan State University student Benjamin Kable on New Year's Day is set to be arraigned on a felony traffic violation.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that Tubtim "Sue" Howson, 57, of Oakland Township is expected to be arraigned Friday in Rochester Hills District Court for failing to stop at an accident that resulted in serious impairment or death, according to online court records. Her bond is expected to be set during Friday's arraignment.
If sentenced, she could face five years in jail.
Howson returns to U.S.:Woman accused in hit-and-run killing of MSU student returns to U.S. to face charges
"I greatly appreciate the assistance of the Thailand authorities and our federal partners who worked tirelessly with us to bring this woman back and to hold her accountable," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a release. “It’s hard to imagine how you could drive away and leave a person in the road that you had struck and killed. It will never fill the void for the family but hopefully it brings them a measure of closure.”
A request seeking comment was left with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and 52-3 District Court.
Officials with the sheriff's office said Howson's charged from a New Year's Day incident where Howson allegedly struck and killed Kable, 22, of Shelby Township at around 5:49 a.m. on Rochester Road in Oakland Township.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Kable's family. It has raised $12,387 so far.
Kable was home from MSU and died at the scene. He was walking southbound on the road as Howson drove in that same direction on her way to work and hit him. According to the release, she left the scene. Witnesses provided police with a description of Howson and her car.
Howson originally left the country for Thailand around Jan. 3, according to a federal complaint filed by the FBI. FBI Special Agent Matthew Schuff sought a warrant on Feb. 6 for Howson's arrest, accusing her of fleeing the country to avoid prosecution for the hit-and-run. She's a dual citizen of both countries.
Howson returned to the U.S. voluntarily in late February. U.S. marshals accompanied her to Michigan from an undisclosed location. A U.S. District Court magistrate dismissed federal agents' complaint without prejudice Wednesday, according to court records.
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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Suspect in MSU fatal hit and run who fled U.S. to be arraigned Friday
