An 82-year-old Florida woman, Deborah Murphy, died in May after being struck by a vehicle in a Publix parking lot in Panama City Beach. The driver, 26-year-old Carlos Saurez-Conteras, a Venezuelan national, has been charged with driving with a canceled license causing death.
According to an arrest affidavit, Murphy was walking through a crosswalk on May 17 when she was allegedly struck by a Toyota 4Runner driven by Saurez-Conteras. The vehicle reportedly knocked Murphy to the ground and then ran over her as it continued in reverse. Murphy was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Saurez-Conteras, who is from Georgia, has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge. His attorney stated that the incident was an unfortunate accident and not criminal in nature. Authorities determined that Saurez-Conteras and his passenger, 29-year-old Luis Sanabria, were in the U.S. illegally. Both men were issued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.
Sanabria, who initially fled the scene, later returned and identified Saurez-Conteras as the driver. He was found to have an expired visa and was released into ICE custody. Saurez-Conteras remains in jail without bond due to his immigration status and concerns he is a flight risk. His Georgia driver's license had been canceled, though officials have not specified when.
Florida law prohibits undocumented immigrants from obtaining a state-issued driver's license. Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2024, approximately one in six fatal traffic crashes involved drivers with invalid licenses. In Florida, over 10,500 pedestrian crashes were reported in 2024, resulting in 678 fatalities.
Murphy, a mother and grandmother, was remembered by her daughters as a vibrant person who touched many lives. She was a dedicated educator in early childhood special education.