A 24-year-old Sanford man was arrested after forcing a woman to drive from Sanford to Palm Coast while repeatedly striking her during the trip, leading to a high-speed chase that reached speeds exceeding 120 mph. Korarise Hill was taken into custody after a multi-county pursuit that ended in New Smyrna Beach when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper executed a PIT maneuver. The incident began when the victim walked into a Circle K on Palm Coast Parkway Southwest with multiple cuts, bruises, and a black eye, telling employees she feared for her life.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Hill had forced the woman to drive from Sanford to Palm Coast while striking her repeatedly throughout the trip. He made two stops along the way, first at a residence on Wilmart Place and then at the Blaze N Flame Smoke Shop on Belle Terre Parkway, confiscating the car keys at each location so she could not escape. The victim entered the Circle K around 10:10 a.m. and locked herself in the bathroom while an employee called 911 and identified Hill as the man in the silver Chevrolet parked at the pump.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hill had strangled the woman until she fainted and threatened to kill her with a gun during the ordeal. When deputies arrived at the Circle K, Hill fled, leading to a pursuit that drew in the Florida Highway Patrol and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office alongside Flagler County deputies. The chase ended in New Smyrna Beach, in Volusia County, when the FHP trooper’s PIT maneuver brought Hill’s vehicle to a stop.

Hill was charged with domestic battery, false imprisonment, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with disregard for the safety of persons or property. He is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail, while the victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office responded separately to investigate the aggravated domestic violence that occurred within their jurisdiction, and both FHP and Seminole filed additional charges beyond those brought by Flagler County.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly criticized Hill’s criminal history during the arrest announcement. “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,” Staly said. “His prior conviction and arrests for very serious charges demonstrate that he is violent and a clear danger to society.”

Staly praised both the victim and the Circle K employee for their actions during the incident. “I commend the victim for getting away from him and seeking help, and I commend the employee for calling 911,” Staly said. “He likely saved her life.” The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and repeat offenders in Central Florida.

In a separate incident in Sanford, James Caldwell was arrested for battery after allegedly hitting a woman with a protest sign during a “No Kings” protest. Officers responded to a fight at the intersection of Sanford Avenue and 1st Street between the “No Kings” protest group and two opposition parties. Police said Caldwell was seen holding a protest sign and repeatedly put it in front of a woman and her husband during an argument before using the sign to slap the back of the woman’s head.

Caldwell was transported to John E. Polk Correctional Facility and is facing a battery charge. Both parties at the protest were warned to respect each other’s space, and officers continued to monitor the scene after the heated exchange. The incident occurred after both groups had been engaged in a confrontation that required police intervention.