BS BRIEF:
- An 82-year-old Florida grandmother was killed after authorities say she was struck and run over by an SUV driven by a Venezuelan national who was allegedly in the country illegally while walking through a marked crosswalk outside a Publix in Panama City Beach.
- The suspect, Carlos Suarez-Contreras, has pleaded not guilty to driving with a canceled license causing death. Authorities say both he and his passenger were determined to be in the U.S. illegally and were issued ICE detainers. Suarez-Contreras remains jailed without bond pending an August 17 arraignment.
FAMILY SEEKS JUSTICE AFTER FLORIDA GRANDMOTHER IS KILLED IN PUBLIX PARKING LOT
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — What began as an ordinary grocery trip ended in heartbreak for one Florida family.
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.
His attorney, Russell Ramey, maintains the collision was not criminal.
“He didn’t commit any crime regarding the charges he was arrested on. It’s simply an unfortunate incident and not criminal in nature.”
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.
Murphy’s daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, say their mother dedicated her life to helping others through education and faith.
“We’re determined to find justice and see Suarez-Contreras held accountable for his reckless actions.”
They described Murphy as:
“An amazing friend, teacher, mother and grandmother.”
Family members called her “a light” whose impact reached far beyond her own household. One grandchild recently presented relatives with a collection of Murphy’s handwritten reflections, including one passage that has resonated deeply since her death.
“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 added:
“It has been a delight to witness one’s own legacy.”
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.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News — ‘Vibrant’ Florida grandma allegedly killed by illegal immigrant outside Publix, family fights for justice
- New York Post — ‘Vibrant’ grandmother, 82, allegedly killed by illegal immigrant in Publix parking lot
- Daily Mail — Beloved grandma is run over and killed by illegal immigrant while walking back to her car after grocery shopping, cops say
