Florida grandmother killed in Publix parking lot as illegal immigrant faces charges
Deborah Murphy, an 82-year-old retired educator, wife, mother and grandmother, died after authorities say she was struck and run over by an SUV while walking through a marked crosswalk outside a Publix supermarket on May 17.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Murphy had just finished shopping and was returning to her vehicle when a Toyota 4Runner allegedly backed into her before continuing in reverse, running over her in the parking lot. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators identified the driver as 26-year-old Carlos Suarez-Contreras, a Venezuelan national. Authorities determined that both Suarez-Contreras and his passenger, Luis Sanabria, were in the United States illegally and placed immigration detainers on both men. Sanabria was later transferred to ICE custody, while Suarez-Contreras remains in the Bay County Jail without bond because authorities consider him a potential flight risk.
Court records show Suarez-Contreras has entered a written plea of not guilty to a charge of driving with a canceled license causing death, a third-degree felony.
Authorities say surveillance video captured the moments before the crash. According to investigators, Murphy entered the crosswalk as the SUV shifted into reverse. The arrest affidavit alleges the vehicle struck her, knocked her to the pavement and continued backing over her.
Florida law does not allow individuals who are in the country illegally to obtain state-issued driver’s licenses. Authorities have confirmed Suarez-Contreras’ Georgia driver’s license had previously been canceled, though they have not disclosed when or why because of privacy restrictions.
Suarez-Contreras is scheduled to be arraigned August 17 in Bay County.
Every one of these cases leaves behind an empty chair at the dinner table. A family wondering what life would have looked like if one decision had been different. If one law had been enforced.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Murphy had just finished shopping and was returning to her vehicle when a Toyota 4Runner allegedly backed into her before continuing in reverse, running over her in the parking lot. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators identified the driver as 26-year-old Carlos Suarez-Contreras, a Venezuelan national. Authorities determined that both Suarez-Contreras and his passenger, Luis Sanabria, were in the United States illegally and placed immigration detainers on both men. Sanabria was later transferred to ICE custody, while Suarez-Contreras remains in the Bay County Jail without bond because authorities consider him a potential flight risk.
Court records show Suarez-Contreras has entered a written plea of not guilty to a charge of driving with a canceled license causing death, a third-degree felony.
Authorities say surveillance video captured the moments before the crash. According to investigators, Murphy entered the crosswalk as the SUV shifted into reverse. The arrest affidavit alleges the vehicle struck her, knocked her to the pavement and continued backing over her.
Florida law does not allow individuals who are in the country illegally to obtain state-issued driver’s licenses. Authorities have confirmed Suarez-Contreras’ Georgia driver’s license had previously been canceled, though they have not disclosed when or why because of privacy restrictions.
Suarez-Contreras is scheduled to be arraigned August 17 in Bay County.
Every one of these cases leaves behind an empty chair at the dinner table. A family wondering what life would have looked like if one decision had been different. If one law had been enforced.
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