A police officer conducting a traffic stop during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Hilton Head.
Austin Radel, 39, was arrested on New Year’s Day after a traffic stop in Hilton Head revealed he was charged with third-degree assault, public disorderly conduct, and driving under suspension. The deputy observed Radel illegally changing lanes, and further investigation revealed an active arrest warrant for an August assault incident. Radel is released on a $5,000 bond and faces potential misdemeanor charges.
In a recent turn of events in Hilton Head, 39-year-old Austin Radel has found himself in hot water after a traffic stop led to his arrest on New Year’s Day. Just after 10 p.m. on that fateful Wednesday night, Radel was pulled over near U.S. 278 and Whooping Crane Way, right by the bustling Hilton Head Island Airport.
The deputy on duty noticed that Radel had been illegally changing lanes, which was just the start of a wild series of events on this chilly evening. Radel was charged with a range of offenses, including third-degree assault and battery by mob, driving under suspension, and public disorderly conduct. Quite the lineup!
As the deputy approached the vehicle, Radel made things a tad messy. He claimed he didn’t have his driver’s license, registration, or insurance – not exactly the best way to start a conversation with law enforcement! When asked to exit his vehicle, Radel was resistant, prompting the deputy to physically assist him out after unbuckling his seat belt. Now, this is where it gets really interesting—Radel wasn’t too happy about being helped out and began to unleash a stream of anger, cursing at the deputy.
But that wasn’t all—Radel isn’t just having car trouble. He had an active arrest warrant hanging over his head due to an incident dating back to August 30, 2024. This warrant is in connection with an assault that took place outside the Circle K gas station on Lagoon Road, where Radel allegedly assaulted another man. The poor victim was left with a nasty 1-inch gash near his eye and had reported excessive bleeding as a result of being attacked.
According to witnesses, the chaos seemed to stem from a comment that the victim had made about one of the attacker’s romantic partners months prior. There were two perpetrators involved, with one launching vicious punches and even delivering a “soccer ball kick” to the victim’s face!
Surveillance footage revealed that Radel and his accomplice exited a red Ford SUV before the brutal assault unfolded. Investigators are now digging deeper, trying to pinpoint the second suspect involved in this shocking incident.
In the backdrop of this dramatic New Year’s scene, Radel’s license troubles had already put him in a bind; his driving privileges had been suspended due to an unpaid traffic ticket prior to his recent arrest. It seems like a tough pattern to break for Radel, who has been in trouble with the law in Beaufort County before. His sanctions include previous convictions for shoplifting, public disorderly conduct, and having an open container.
Radel didn’t remain behind bars for long, as he was released five days later on a $5,000 surety bond. But what does the future hold? The charge of third-degree assault and battery by mob is categorized as a misdemeanor in South Carolina, which could lead to a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
As this story continues to unfold, investigators are keen on interviewing Radel further to gather information on that elusive second suspect. It’s clear that this New Year’s traffic stop has opened a Pandora’s box of troubles for one man in Hilton Head, and the community will be watching to see how it all plays out.
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