Venezuelan illegal immigrant Carlos Suarez-Contreras is accused in a fatal crash that occurred in a supermarket parking lot in Panama City Beach, Florida. On May 17, 2026, he was driving a Toyota 4Runner SUV that struck 82-year-old Deborah Murphy in a crosswalk, running her over and killing her.
Security camera footage shows the vehicle backing up, knocking the elderly woman to the ground, and then running over her. Florida Highway Patrol records confirm this.
Illegal Status of Driver and Passenger
The 26-year-old driver, Carlos Suarez-Contreras, who was taken into custody after the incident, was found to be in the country illegally and had his Georgia driver's license suspended. The passenger, 29-year-old Luis Sanabria, was also in the country illegally, having overstayed his visa. Sanabria fled the scene on foot before police arrived, but later returned after the driver called him.
Legal Proceedings and Arrest
Carlos Suarez-Contreras was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license causing death. He was denied bail due to both his immigration status and flight risk. Suarez-Contreras is expected to appear before a judge at the Bay County Courthouse on August 17.
The passenger, Luis Sanabria, was released to be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Family's Pursuit of Justice
The twin daughters of the late Deborah Murphy, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, said their mother was 'full of life, a wonderful friend, teacher, mother, and grandmother.' The family issued a statement saying, 'We seek justice to hold Suarez-Contreras accountable for his reckless actions,' and shared a handwritten letter from their mother.
Defense and Statistics
Suarez-Contreras' attorney, Russell Ramey, argued that his client did not commit a crime, calling the incident an 'unfortunate' and 'non-criminal' accident.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that about 16% of U.S. fatal traffic crashes involve drivers with invalid licenses. In 2024, 7,080 pedestrians were killed nationwide, while in Florida, 678 people died in 10,501 pedestrian crashes. Drivers backing up in parking lots and failing to see pedestrians is cited as one of the most common causes of accidents.
