A 57-year-old Thai-American woman who fled to Bangkok after fatally hitting a 22-year-old American student with her car, has returned to the United States to face charges. Thai police officers escorted Sue “Tubtim” Howson to Suvarnabhumi Airport to fly back to Michigan where FBI officers will be waiting for her upon arrival.
The incident occurred on New Year’s Day when Tubtim hit Michigan State University student Benjamin Kable with her BMW car. Kable, a senior electrical engineering student, was walking before dawn when he was hit. Tubtim fled to Thailand 2 days after the incident and had been staying in Chon Buri province before relocating to the western province of Ratchaburi on February 10.
Thailand’s deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn says that when Tubtim was detained by the authorities last week, she claimed she thought she had hit a deer and expressed remorse for fleeing.
It’s unclear what charges she will face, but local authorities in Michigan have named her in a felony arrest warrant for failing to stop at the scene of a fatal crime. They may also charge her with fleeing to avoid prosecution, which is a felony.
The incident had made headlines worldwide, with the victim’s father issuing a statement to express his disbelief at Tubtim’s actions. The Kable family has not yet commented on the latest development.
SOURCE: Coconuts
