A Venezuelan national, identified as Carlos Suarez-Contreras, 26, faces charges in the death of an 82-year-old Florida woman who was struck and killed by an SUV in a grocery store parking lot. The incident occurred on May 17, 2026, outside a Publix in Panama City Beach.
According to an arrest affidavit submitted by the Florida Highway Patrol, Deborah Murphy was walking in a crosswalk as she returned to her car when the Toyota 4Runner, driven by Suarez-Contreras, backed into her. The affidavit states the vehicle continued backing up, "running over Ms. Murphy."
Both Suarez-Contreras and a passenger in the vehicle, Luis Sanabria, 29, were determined to be in the country illegally, according to arrest records. Both men stated they were from Venezuela. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers were issued for both individuals, and they were booked into the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
Suarez-Contreras has submitted a written plea of not guilty to the charge of driving with a canceled license and causing a death, a third-degree felony. Records indicate his Georgia driver's license had been canceled. Florida law prohibits undocumented immigrants from obtaining a state-issued driver's license, though some states do issue licenses to unauthorized residents.
Sanabria provided sworn testimony to law enforcement, stating that Suarez-Contreras was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash. He reportedly left the scene before law enforcement arrived but returned when contacted by Suarez-Contreras. Sanabria was found to have an expired visa and was released into ICE custody.
Murphy was transported to a hospital after the incident and later died from her injuries. Suarez-Contreras is being held without bond due to his immigration status and concerns he may be a flight risk.
Russell Ramey, Suarez-Contreras' attorney, stated that his client "didn’t commit any crime regarding the charges he was arrested on" and called the incident "unfortunate" and "not criminal in nature."
Murphy's twin daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, told Fox News Digital that they are committed to seeking justice and holding Suarez-Contreras accountable. They described their mother as "a light" who was "vibrant with so many more memories to be made."
In 2024, approximately 16% of fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. involved drivers with invalid licenses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the same year, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, and over 71,000 were injured.
The state of Florida recorded 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes in 2024, resulting in 678 deaths. NHTSA identifies drivers failing to check behind them when backing up in parking lots as a common cause of pedestrian accidents.
Suarez-Contreras is scheduled for arraignment on August 17 at the Bay County Courthouse. The Georgia Department of Driver Services confirmed that Suarez-Contreras' license had been canceled but did not provide a date, citing privacy reasons.