Venezuelan Man Charged in Death of Florida Woman

A Venezuelan man, allegedly in the United States illegally, is in custody following his involvement in the death of an elderly Florida woman. The incident occurred in a grocery store parking lot.

The Incident

On May 17, Deborah Murphy, an 82-year-old grandmother, was struck by a Toyota 4Runner in Panama City Beach. Court records indicate she was walking back to her car in a crosswalk outside a Publix store when the vehicle backed over her.

“Running over Ms. Murphy,” the arrest affidavit from the Florida Highway Patrol states about the SUV’s actions.

Despite being knocked down, the vehicle continued to reverse, resulting in Murphy’s death. She succumbed to her injuries after being taken to the hospital.

The Driver and Passenger

Carlos Suarez-Contreras, 26, was driving the vehicle according to court documents. Luis Sanabria, 29, was the passenger. Both were found to be in the country illegally.

Suarez-Contreras faces charges for driving with a canceled license and causing a fatality. Records show his Georgia license was invalid. Sanabria confirmed to authorities that Suarez-Contreras was driving during the incident.

The Department of Justice has been urging sanctuary states to change policies that hinder ICE activities based on safety concerns.

Legal Proceedings and Immigration Status

An ICE detainer was issued for both men, and they were taken into custody by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Suarez-Contreras remains held without bond as a potential flight risk.

Suarez-Contreras maintains a plea of not guilty. His lawyer, Russell Ramey, argues the case is an unfortunate situation rather than criminal.

The driver is scheduled for arraignment on August 17 in the Bay County Courthouse. Sanabria, previously absent from the crash scene, returned after being summoned by Suarez-Contreras.

Sanabria was found to have an expired visa and was subsequently released into ICE custody.

Family’s Statement

The victim’s family, particularly her twin daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, expressed their desire for justice. They remembered Murphy as a lively, compassionate friend, teacher, mother, and grandmother.

Reflections on Murphy’s life highlighted her philosophy on leaving a meaningful legacy through subsequent generations.

Pedestrian Crash Statistics

In 2024, around 16% of fatal traffic incidents involved drivers with invalid licenses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That year saw over 7,000 pedestrian deaths and 71,000 injuries.

Florida reported over 10,500 pedestrian crashes in 2024, resulting in 678 deaths. Common causes include drivers not checking their surroundings while reversing in parking lots.