Passenger assaults Uber driver in California — VIDEO
A video camera inside an Uber vehicle in Costa Mesa, Calif., caught a passenger attacking the driver. The attack happened just before 8 p.m. Friday.
The driver, Edward Caban, told ABC7 that the passenger was drunk and struggling to give him directions. Caban pulled into a parking lot and told the man to get out of the vehicle. The video shows the passenger opening the door, but then punching Caban several times and pulling his hair. Caban was able to use pepper spray on the man.
Caban said he installed the video camera in his car because of past issues with passengers.
Costa Mesa police arrested Benjamin Golden, 32, of Newport Beach, at the scene. He was charged with misdemeanor public intoxication and misdemeanor assault. He is employed as a Taco Bell marketing brand manager.
Uber officials say Golden has been banned from the ride-hailing service for life.