A tragic incident in Panama City Beach, Florida, led to the death of 82-year-old Deborah Murphy after an SUV backed over her in a grocery store parking lot. On May 17, Murphy was returning to her vehicle on a crosswalk near a Publix supermarket when a Toyota 4Runner struck her, as detailed in court records.
Murphy was thrown to the ground, but the SUV continued reversing, resulting in her being run over. The arrest affidavit from the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed these details. She was transported to a hospital where she succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
Authorities identified Carlos Suarez-Contreras, a 26-year-old man unlawfully residing in the U.S., as the driver. His passenger, Luis Sanabria, 29, was also confirmed to be illegally in the country. Both individuals were born in Venezuela and were taken into custody as per U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.
The arrest records showed Suarez-Contreras had been driving with a canceled Georgia license and faced charges of driving without a valid license leading to a fatality – a third-degree felony. Florida law prohibits illegal immigrants from obtaining state-issued driver’s licenses, though 19 states and Washington, D.C., allow unauthorized residents to obtain licenses.
Sanabria testified at the scene confirming Suarez-Contreras was operating the vehicle during the collision.
Prior to the immigration investigation, officers reported that Suarez-Contreras provided “suspicious” answers during questioning about the crash. Sanabria initially fled the scene but returned when called by Suarez-Contreras.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reported Sanabria’s visa had expired, leading to his release into ICE custody. Due to his immigration status and perceived flight risk, Suarez-Contreras remains held without bond.
Murphy’s daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, expressed their determination to seek justice for their mother’s untimely death. They remembered Murphy as an inspirational teacher, a cherished friend, and a devoted family member.
They shared their mother’s words reflecting on life itself: “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.”
Murphy’s family remembers her vibrant outlook on life and the significant impact she had on those around her.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that 16% of fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. involved drivers with invalid licenses in 2024. That year, 7,080 pedestrians lost their lives, and over 71,000 were injured in traffic incidents.
Florida reported 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes in 2024, resulting in 678 fatalities, according to state statistics. NHTSA attributes many pedestrian crashes to drivers failing to check behind them when reversing in parking lots.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services confirmed the cancellation of Suarez-Contreras’ driver’s license but declined to specify when it occurred.
Suarez-Contreras’ attorney Russell Ramey contested the criminal nature of the charges, labeling the incident as unfortunate rather than criminal.