Venezuelan Man Charged in Florida Pedestrian Death

A Venezuelan man faces charges in Florida following a tragic incident resulting in the death of an elderly woman, Deborah Murphy, aged 82, in a grocery store parking lot in Panama City Beach. Court records indicate that on May 17, Murphy was hit by a Toyota 4Runner while walking back to her car at a Publix supermarket. The vehicle, driven by Carlos Suarez-Contreras, continued backing up after striking Murphy, resulting in her being fatally run over.

Suarez-Contreras, aged 26, and his passenger, Luis Sanabria, aged 29, were found to be illegally in the United States. Suarez-Contreras faces charges of driving with a canceled license and causing death, a third-degree felony. Court documents revealed that both men hail from Venezuela and have been issued detainers by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They were detained at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

Suarez-Contreras has entered a plea of not guilty regarding the charges. His driving record shows a canceled Georgia license. Florida state law prohibits illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses, though some states do provide them to unauthorized residents.

Sanabria, during police questioning, identified Suarez-Contreras as the vehicle operator during the crash. Initially departing the scene on foot, Sanabria returned upon being contacted by Suarez-Contreras. He was found to have an expired visa and was subsequently placed in ICE custody.

Murphy’s family, particularly her twin daughters Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, seek justice for the recklessness they attribute to Suarez-Contreras. They remember Murphy as a lively and caring figure who deeply impacted those around her.

Florida Highway Patrol reports state that Suarez-Contreras is held without bond, citing his possible risk of fleeing due to his immigration status. The accident injured Murphy, leading to her death at the hospital. Suarez-Contreras’ arraignment is scheduled for August 17 at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City, Florida.

The tragedy emphasizes a broader safety issue. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2024 highlighted that 16% of fatal traffic accidents involved drivers with invalid licenses. Additionally, that year saw 7,080 pedestrian deaths and over 71,000 injuries. Florida alone had 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes and 678 deaths. Common reasons for such accidents include drivers failing to check behind them while reversing.

Suarez-Contreras’ legal representative, attorney Russell Ramey, argues that his client’s actions were not criminal, describing the event as unfortunate.

Murphy’s family cherishes her legacy. One grandchild compiled a set of personal reflections written by Murphy, capturing her life philosophy and commitment to leaving a positive impact on future generations.