Michigan woman charged in college student's New Year's death flees to Thailand: FBI

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Family of college student killed in hit-and-run crash says driver showed 'lack of empathy'

The family of Ben Kable, who died in a hit-and-run car crash, is speaking out and saying that he hopes there's justice after a suspect fled the country. (Credit: FOX 2)

A Michigan woman who is being charged in the death of a college student has fled to Thailand in order to avoid being prosecuted, the FBI said.

Ben Kable, a Michigan State University student, died Jan. 1 when a car driven by Tubtim Howson fatally struck him in Oakland County, Michigan, according to FOX 2 Detroit.

At the time of the incident at around 5:49 a.m., Kable was walking down a road when he was hit.

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Ben Kable, a Michigan State University student, died on Jan. 1 when a car being driven by Tubtim Howson fatally struck him in Oakland County, Michigan, according to FOX 2. (Family of Ben Kable)

Police say that the driver of the car stopped for a short amount of time and then fled the scene.

The FBI said travel records show Howson purchased a one-way ticket from Detroit Metro Airport to Thailand, with a layover in Dallas-Fort Worth. The woman left for Thailand just two days after purchasing the ticket and landed on Jan. 5.

A BMW 3 Series is believed to have been the car she was driving in the crash, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said that the car was registered to Howson.

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Ben Kable on a boat.

At the time of the crash, Howson was going to Birmingham for work, according to deputies.

According to an unsealed FBI complaint, Howson "allegedly told a close associate after the crash that she thought she killed somebody and was going back to Thailand."

"When encouraged to turn herself in to police, Howson allegedly stated, ‘no cops, no cops,'" the complaint states.

Mike Kable, the father of Ben, said that he's in disbelief after the hit-and-run.

File- Tubtim Howson in front of a car. (FOX 2)

"Just don't understand how you can live with yourself," Mike said. "Just the lack of empathy and humanity it would take and then just plot your getaway."

"All we can do is cross our fingers that we get some justice," Mike said.

Howson lived in Oakland Township with her kids and husband. When FOX 2 went to her home on Wednesday, her husband said "Not my fault I wasn't even in the country."

"Two families have lost somebody here," he said.

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Michigan State University student Ben Kable. (Family of Ben Kable)

A felony warrant was already issued for Howson's alleged failure to stop at the scene resulting in serious impairment or death, and the FBI says there is probable cause to charge Howson for felony interstate flight to avoid prosecution.