Palm Coast Man Arrested After Stabbing Roommate, Vehicle Pursuit

Jose Rafael Cortes Nieves, 50, of Palm Coast, was arrested Monday evening after allegedly stabbing his roommate multiple times and leading deputies on a vehicle pursuit through Flagler County. The incident occurred at a residence on Pier Lane in Palm Coast on February 23, 2026.

The victim contacted the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center at approximately 6:45 p.m. to report he had been stabbed multiple times with a small black knife by his roommate. The caller told dispatchers that Cortes Nieves fled the scene in a red Honda CR-V immediately after the attack.

Flagler County Sheriff's deputies quickly located the suspect vehicle near Belle Terre Boulevard and attempted a traffic stop. When deputies activated their emergency equipment, Cortes Nieves refused to stop and initiated a vehicle pursuit.

During the chase, Cortes Nieves repeatedly ran through red lights while attempting to evade law enforcement. Deputies successfully ended the pursuit using stop sticks to disable the fleeing vehicle. Cortes Nieves was taken into custody without further incident once his vehicle was stopped.

A search of the Honda CR-V revealed a black knife inside the vehicle. The weapon was recovered as evidence in the stabbing investigation. The victim's current condition was not disclosed in the initial report.

Cortes Nieves faces charges related to the stabbing incident and the subsequent vehicle pursuit.