Taco Bell executive Benjamin Golden was fired after allegedly attacking an Uber driver on Friday night, and the videotaped incident could land him a year in jail if he's convicted of four assault charges brought Tuesday.
The YouTube video posted by the Uber driver, Edward Caban, shows Golden, 32, apparently drunk in the back seat of the vehicle-for-hire. The video has already garnered nearly 2 million views.
As Golden flops around in the backseat in an apparent stupor, Caban stops the car, ends the trip, and asks his passenger to exit the car. Golden argues with Caban, and then begins slapping and hitting him, as well as pulling his hair.
Caban then pepper sprays Golden in the face, exits the vehicle, and can be heard calling to bystanders on the street to call the police.
According to Caban, the trip took place around 8 p.m. in Costa Mesa, California.
"I wanted to make sure he didn't get away," Caban told local reporters,
according to the Los Angeles Times. "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."
On Monday, Irvine-based Taco Bell said in a statement that, "Given the behavior of the individual, it is clear he can no longer work for us. We have also offered and encouraged him to seek professional help." Golden was a marketing manager for the company.
Costa Mesa police Sgt. Jerry Souza said Golden was taken into custody shortly after the incident. He was charged Tuesday with assault, battery, battery on a public transit employee with injury, and assault on public transportation property. His arraignment is set for Nov. 17.
According to ABC News, an Uber spokesperson said in a statement that, "We will provide any information to the investigating authorities as needed. The rider involved in this incident has been permanently banned from the platform." The company added that it is happy to hear the driver "is doing ok."