Uber Driver Skeptical Of Apology From Newport Beach Man Who Attacked Him
COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — The Uber driver seen on video being assaulted by a drunk passenger last week in Costa Mesa said Wednesday night that he doubts the apology from his attacker was sincere.
The suspect in the attack, 32-year-old Ben Golden, earlier on Wednesday spoke exclusively to CBS2's Michele Gile and apologized for his actions, saying he felt ashamed.
But the driver, 23-year-old Edward Caban, told CBS2's Stacey Butler that he has his doubts as to whether the apology was genuine.
"I don't have any reason to believe him as a person," Caban said. "I don't trust him."
The incident began after Caban picked up Golden for an Uber ride on the night of Oct. 30.
Golden, who was intoxicated, had trouble communicating his destination to Caban and Caban asked Golden to leave his car.
Golden then struck Caban repeatedly in the head with his first, grabbed the driver's hair and attempted to slam his head into a car window.
The incident ended when Caban pepper-sprayed Golden. The incident was captured on a dashcam video that has amassed more that 2 million views on YouTube.
"I'm not sure he would feel the same way if this didn't go viral," Caban said. "I don't know if he's crying because he was outed."
Caban also said he believed Golden needed to take responsibility for his actions that night.
"It's not me in the video," Golden said in the earlier interview, suggesting that the actions seen in the video are not a true reflection of his character.
"He's says that's not him, but that's the only him that I know," Caban said. "It was him who had the first drink. It was him who made the decision to go out that night. It was him who made the decision to get into the Uber."
Caban is suing Golden and claiming to be suffering in the wake of the incident. Caban's attorney told City News Service that Caban was so frightened by the incident that he has been sleeping with a shotgun nearby.
"I can't sleep," Caban said. "I'm constantly afraid."
Golden was fired from his job as a marketing manager at Taco Bell after the video went viral and is being charged with four misdemeanor counts of assault and battery. He faces up to a year in jail or a $10,000 fine if convicted.