A Venezuelan man, alleged to be in the U.S. illegally, faces jail time after being charged in the death of an elderly Florida woman. The incident occurred when the man backed over her with an SUV in a grocery store parking lot.
The Incident
On May 17, Deborah Murphy, an 82-year-old grandmother, was hit by a Toyota 4Runner while walking back to her car at a crosswalk outside a Publix in Panama City Beach. The SUV pushed her to the ground and continued backing up, ultimately running over her, according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest affidavit. Deborah Murphy succumbed to her injuries following the crash.
Deborah Murphy, 82, was killed in Florida on May 17, 2026. (Courtesy of Amy Edge)
The Accused
Carlos Suarez-Contreras, 26, drove the vehicle, with court records indicating Luis Sanabria, 29, was the front-seat passenger. Both men were found to be in the country illegally, as stated in their arrest records. Suarez-Contreras entered a not guilty plea to the charge of driving with a canceled license and causing a death, categorized as a third-degree felony. His Georgia license had been canceled, according to records.
Carlos Suarez-Contreras was charged in Deborah Murphy’s death. (Bay County Sheriff’s Office)
Legal and Immigration Issues
Under Florida law, illegal immigrants cannot receive state-issued driver’s licenses. Nonetheless, 19 states and the District of Columbia allow licenses for unauthorized residents. At the scene, Sanabria testified that Suarez-Contreras operated the vehicle during the crash. He initially fled on foot but returned after Suarez-Contreras called him.
Sanabria possessed an expired visa, resulting in his ICE custody, as confirmed by Jacob Navarro, a public affairs specialist for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Suarez-Contreras remains held without bond due to his immigration status, deemed a potential flight risk by the Florida Highway Patrol records.
Following the incident, Murphy was taken to the hospital, where she died from crash-related injuries. Suarez-Contreras’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City, Florida.
Family’s Response
Murphy’s twin daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, expressed their determination to seek justice. “She touched so many lives as an amazing friend, teacher, mother, and grandmother,” they told Fox News Digital. The family remembers her as vibrant, with many more memories to create. A family photo shows Murphy with her husband, retired Air Force Colonel George Murphy, and their grandchildren on a beach.
Deborah Murphy with her husband, retired Air Force Colonel George Murphy, and their grandchildren on a Florida beach. (Courtesy of Amy Edge)
Broader Context
In 2024, approximately 16% of fatal U.S. traffic crashes involved drivers with invalid licenses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That year saw 7,080 pedestrian deaths and over 71,000 injuries. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes with 678 fatalities.
Backing vehicles without checking behind them remains among the NHTSA’s common causes of pedestrian accidents. The Georgia Department of Driver Services confirmed the cancellation of Suarez-Contreras’ license, though did not disclose the exact date, citing privacy concerns.
Legal Defense
Suarez-Contreras’ attorney, Russell Ramey of Musca Law in Panama City, stated via email that the charges against his client lack criminal grounds, describing the event as an unfortunate accident.
Legacy
Reflecting on Murphy’s legacy, her grandchildren compiled her writings on life. In one entry, Murphy wrote about the importance of leaving a positive impact on future generations. “My husband and I always felt that the best thing we could do for generations to come would be to leave this world with people who would make a difference,” she shared.