Former Taco Bell Exec to Face Civil Suit Over Uber Attack
Driver Edward Caban is seeking "unspecified compensation."
-- A former Taco Bell executive is facing a civil suit from an Uber driver he allegedly attacked, ABC News has exclusively learned. The incident was captured on camera.
Benjamin Golden, 32, can be seen in the video walloping his driver, Edward Caban, several times in the head and trying to bash Caban's head against the car door and window.
Caban, who has since quit working for the ride-sharing service, is seeking unspecified compensation. His lawyer said he "continues to suffer from emotional injury and distress.”
After Caban posted video of the alleged attack on YouTube, Taco Bell immediately fired Golden, who was the company's head of Mobile Commerce and Innovation.
"It is clear he can no longer work for us," Taco Bell said in a statement. "We have also offered and encouraged him to seek professional help."
Caban picked up Golden from a bar in Newport Beach, Calif., last Friday night. Caban said Golden was so intoxicated, he was "unable to clearly give directions."
In dashboard video from Caban’s car, Golden is seen sloshing back and forth in the back seat and flopping down when the driver makes a u-turn. The driver told ABC News that when Golden started to become aggressive, he stopped at a parking lot and ordered him out of the car. That’s when he says he was attacked.
Caban used pepper spray to defend himself, police said. In the video, Golden can be seen fleeing the car after being sprayed.
An Uber spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News on Monday that the company was glad the driver "is doing OK."
"We will provide any information to the investigating authorities as needed," the statement said.
Golden is currently out of custody, the DA's office said, adding that prosecutors will request he be held on $20,000 bail at his arraignment on Nov. 17.
It was unclear if Golden has an attorney. ABC News could not reach Golden for comment.