Suspect in Uber driver assault is Taco Bell Corp. manager

“Given the behavior of the individual, it is clear he can no longer work for us”, Taco Bell said in an email to CNBC.

Benjamin Golden, reportedly chief of the chain’s mobile commerce initiatives, lost his job after the driver posted the video online. Golden had worked for the fast-food corporation’s parent company, Yum!

A 32-year-old former Taco Bell executive was charged today with misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with an alleged attack on an Uber driver in Costa Mesa. The man can be seen falling over in the back seat as Mr Caban takes a turn.

Caban said that the passenger refused to give him a specific address or directions.

That’s when things escalate.

After opening the door, Golden abruptly leans toward Caban, saying “Let me tell you something, you little shi*”. Caban then maces him in the face, and the passenger gets out.

Benjamin Golden, 32, was arrested on assault and disorderly conduct charges after allegedly assaulting an Uber driver, according to the Costa Mesa Police. The suspect calls the driver “A f–ing bitch”, and hits him a few more times.

“Get out of my vehicle or I will call the police”, the driver says in the video.

Golden was a marketing manager for Taco Bell, but the Irvine-based company said Monday he is no longer an employee.

Mr Caban said he had picked up Golden from a bar and he had been belligerent from the very start of the journey. Golden is accused of attacking Caban the evening of October 30 in Costa Mesa, according to Costa Mesa police.

Caban has since stopped driving Uber.

Kayla Whaling, an Uber spokesman, told BuzzFeed News that they were in contact with Caban and was “thankful that he’s OK”. “I think the quality of riders has gone down over the last couple of weeks and I think a lot of drivers would agree with me”.

An Uber spokeswoman said the organization is glad Caban is okay.