HANCOCK COUNTY — An Anderson man is accused of punching a woman so severely she ended up at Hancock Regional Hospital, where doctors determined she will need surgery to recover.

Dustin M. Austin, 33, Anderson, has been charged with a Level 5 felony count of domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury; a Level 6 felony count of domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury; a Level 6 felony count of confinement; a Level 6 felony count of intimidation and two Class A misdemeanor counts of domestic battery.

The most serious charge carries a sentence of up to six years in prison.

According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies from Hancock County Sheriff’s Department were called to the hospital on Saturday, Sept. 26, to talk with a battered woman.

The victim told officials she had been assaulted by Austin and that the attack started in Fountaintown and continued into Greenfield. The victim had a severely swollen left eye and a fractured eye socket that will require surgery, the affidavit said.

The victim also had marks on her face and the back of her head; a large bruise on her shoulder; and cuts on her lips, officials said. The victim told officials Austin hit her two times in Fountaintown before she and Austin got in a car to make their way to Greenfield.

According to the affidavit, the victim continued to ask Austin to take her home to Greenfield during the drive, but Austin refused. Austin then told the victim she was going to die, and made comments about wrecking the car and killing them both.

Austin is accused of continuing to hit the woman at least 10 times during the drive, officials said in the affidavit. He has also been accused of putting out a lit cigarette on her face.

At one point, the woman got out of the vehicle near a gas station on State Street. Austin told her if she didn’t get back into the car he had a gun and would kill her and her mother, before he drove off, the affidavit said.

Austin is also accused of stealing the victim’s purse and taking $40 from her wallet as well as throwing her cell phone out the car window.

A warrant was issued for Austin’s arrest Monday, Sept. 28. He was taken into custody Wednesday, Sept. 30.