Venezuelan Man Charged in Fatal Florida Parking Lot Incident

A Venezuelan man facing charges in the U.S. is in custody after allegedly causing the death of an elderly woman in a Florida grocery store parking lot. On May 17, 82-year-old Deborah Murphy was struck by an SUV while walking in a crosswalk outside a Publix store in Panama City Beach.

Murphy, a grandmother, was hit by a Toyota 4Runner, according to court records. The vehicle pushed her to the ground and continued reversing, ultimately running over her, as detailed in an arrest affidavit by the Florida Highway Patrol. She later died from her injuries.

“Deborah Murphy, 82, was killed in Florida on May 17, 2026,” said Amy Edge, providing a statement from the family.

The driver, Carlos Suarez-Contreras, age 26, was found to be in the U.S. illegally, along with the passenger, Luis Sanabria, 29. Both men, originally from Venezuela, received U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and were booked into Bay County Sheriff’s Office Jail, as noted in court records.

Suarez-Contreras entered a formal plea of not guilty to charges of driving with a canceled license resulting in death, a third-degree felony. His Georgia driver’s license had been canceled, per arrest records.

According to Florida law, an illegal immigrant cannot obtain a state-issued driver’s license. Nonetheless, 19 states and the District of Columbia issue licenses to unauthorized residents, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

At the scene, Sanabria testified that Suarez-Contreras operated the vehicle during the crash. Sanabria left the scene on foot, only returning when contacted by Suarez-Contreras, according to a deputy’s report.

Sanabria had an expired visa and was released into ICE custody, as confirmed by Jacob Navarro, public affairs specialist for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Suarez-Contreras is held without bond due to immigration concerns and being deemed a flight risk, Florida Highway Patrol records report.

Murphy was transported to the hospital post-incident, where she succumbed to her injuries. Suarez-Contreras’s arraignment is set for August 17 at the Bay County Courthouse.

“We aim for justice and accountability for Suarez-Contreras’s actions,” Murphy’s daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, stated. “She was a cherished friend, teacher, mother, and grandmother.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16% of fatal traffic crashes in 2024 involved drivers with invalid licenses. That year, 7,080 pedestrians died in traffic incidents, with over 71,000 injured. In Florida, 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes led to 678 deaths the same year.

Backing up in parking lots without checking behind is a noted cause of pedestrian accidents, as identified by NHTSA.

The Georgia Department of Driver Services declined to specify when Suarez-Contreras’ license was canceled, citing privacy regulations.

Attorney Russell Ramey, defending Suarez-Contreras, asserted in an email that his client committed no crime regarding the charges and termed the incident unfortunate but not criminal.

Murphy’s family shared that one grandchild compiled a collection of her reflections on life. “My husband and I always believed in leaving a world with people who make a difference,” Murphy wrote, expressing gratitude for witnessing her legacy.