Uber driver posted online the video of attack.
By Raif Karerat
A Taco Bell executive is out of a job after he was caught on video attacking an Uber driver in California.
Benjamin Golden, 32, who led Taco Bell’s mobile commerce and innovation initiatives, had his position terminated after the Uber driver posted the video, which went viral.
In the video, a man police identified as Golden is taking an Uber ride from driver Edward Caban in Coast Mesa, California, on Friday.
The driver, Edward Caban, told police that Golden repeatedly hit him and pulled his hair, prompting him to respond by pepper-spraying the passenger.
Caban, 23, posted a clip on YouTube showing what he said were the final minutes of the ride, and Costa Mesa police Sgt. Jerry Souza verified to the Los Angeles Times that the online video is the same video that police reviewed.
“You’re too drunk to give me directions,” Caban can be heard on the video saying after pulling the car over. “‘I’m, kicking you out, man.”
Golden opens his door, then begins to repeatedly strike Caban, shouting expletives at him and pulling his hair. Caban retaliates by pepper-spraying his tormentor.
“He was grabbing my head and was trying to smash it against the window,” Caban told NBC4 in an interview. “I wanted to make sure he didn’t get away,” Caban said. “I have lost so much money on people like him and I’m done dealing with it. They take the food right out of my mouth.”
Golden was arrested on public intoxication and assault charges, Costa Mesa police said Sunday.
“Given the behavior of the individual, it is clear he can no longer work for us,” Taco Bell released in a statement to multiple media outlets following the incident. “We have also offered and encouraged him to seek professional help.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtJVbsHIj9o
1 Comment
Karma has struck again! ha,ha!