A Sanford resident has been arrested following a police chase that began in Palm Coast and ended in New Smyrna Beach. 24-year-old Korarise Hill is facing charges in three counties stemming from the dramatic incident on Sunday.
The incident began on Sunday at around 10:10 a.m. when deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Circle K gas station on Palm Coast Parkway. There, a woman had told employees inside the store to call 911 and locked herself in the bathroom. The woman reportedly had several cuts and bruises as well as a black eye. The FCSO said she told the 911 caller that she feared for her life.
Upon arrival, deputies located Hill in a silver Chevrolet sedan at one of the gas pumps. He’s said to have sped away as soon as he saw a deputy approaching his vehicle. As a pursuit commenced, Flagler County Fire Rescue treated the victim and FCSO deputies took her statement.
Police Chase from Flagler to Volusia
After driving away, Hill is said to have exited the Circle K station from the wrong exit back onto Palm Coast Parkway. The FCSO says he drove recklessly and ran a red light. Hill allegedly weaved through traffic at high speeds, hitting another vehicle at one point, before getting onto southbound I-95.
FCSO deputies continued to pursue Hill south on I-95. Patrol supervisors authorized a vehicle apprehension, but Hill’s car is said to have reached the county border before FCSO deputies could reach him. He’s said to have reached over 120 miles per hour before Florida Highway Patrol took up the pursuit in Volusia County.
As an FHP vehicle took the lead in the pursuit, two FCSO vehicles remained in the chase as second and third units, the FCSO says. The chase exited the highway at one point at International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Here, the FHP vehicle executed a PIT maneuver to spin the vehicle around. He was able to then navigate out of the situation and the chase resumed.
Footage of the incident shows the FHP trooper executing another PIT maneuver down the road, which the sedan again was able to drive away from. By this point, the rear bumpers of both the suspect’s car and the FHP car were hanging off and dragging along the pavement.
Eventually, the sedan came to a stop at Tomoka Farms Road and Pioneer Drive in New Smyrna Beach. Multiple law enforcement personnel ordered Hill out of the vehicle with guns drawn. Bodycam footage shows him appearing to comply. He was handcuffed and arrested there.
Korarise Hill’s Litany of Criminal Charges
Hill was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond on Sunday. His listed charges include two counts of fleeing and eluding law enforcement with disregard for safety, reckless driving, twelve counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, false imprisonment, touch or strike, driving without a license, and leaving the scene of a crash with damage. These charges account for Hill’s alleged actions in both Flagler and Volusia counties.
Florida Highway Patrol and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office also filed charges against Hill. The SCSO responded to alleged aggravated domestic violence by Hill within their jurisdiction.
Hill has two prior arrests in Flagler County: one for failure to appear and another for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both in 2022. His full criminal history, however, is more extensive.
In 2018 Hill was convicted in Volusia County of attempted first degree murder, attempted robbery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. He served two years in prison after this conviction. Other charges against Hill in Volusia include aggravated assault, battery, burglary, grand theft, and armed robbery.
The Victim’s Story
The victim of Hill’s alleged abuse was treated at the Palm Coast Circle K where the incident began. According to the FCSO, she said that Hill ordered her to drive from Palm Coast to Sanford. They made multiple stops, including at a residence in the W Section and at a Palm Coast smoke shop.
Throughout the journey, the victim says Hill struck her repeatedly. She claims he held a handgun to her head and threatened to kill her before striking her with it. At one point Hill is even said to have strangled the victim until she lost consciousness.
After two stops, the victim said she told Hill she needed to get gas before driving to Sanford. At previous stops, Hill allegedly went inside himself and took the car key to prevent her from leaving. This time, she went inside and told employees what was going on.
“This dirtbag was already on Florida’s inmate release status after serving just two years in state prison for attempted murder, and obviously he needs to go back to prison, but this time for a very long time,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “He displayed complete disregard for anyone around him when he dangerously tried to flee across two counties. His prior conviction and arrests for very serious charges demonstrate that he is violent and a clear danger to society. I commend the victim for getting away from him and seeking help, and I commend the employee for calling 911. He likely saved her life. We also thank our partners at FHP for their assistance in helping us apprehend him before he could hurt someone else.”
Can’t fix stupid.