A Taco Bell executive who was sacked after he attacked his Uber driver apologised for his behaviour and said he is remorseful. The violent incident was caught on a dashboard camera video that went viral and led to his arrest and firing.

Benjamin Golden, who can be seen in the video drunkenly hitting his Uber driver after being told to exit the vehicle, would like to privately meet with Edward Caban to apologise and demonstrate his regret, his attorneys Anita Kay and Courtney pitchman said in a statement released on 4 November. "Mr Golden recognises that despite his level of intoxication, he should have never slapped Mr Caban and is extremely remorseful for his actions," they added.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 32-year-old former Taco Bell marketing manager was charged on 3 November with four misdemeanor counts of assault, battery, battery on a public transit employee with injury and assault on public transportation property. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Golden told CBS Los Angeles that he does not remember the events of 30 October and that he has reached out to a counselor for help. "It's not me in the video," he said. "It was hard to watch. I'm ashamed." He added, "I didn't know what happened until I saw this video."

On 2 November, Golden was sacked from his job at the fast food chain following the attack. "Mr Golden accepts full responsibility for his actions and understands the consequences that may occur as a result," his attorneys said.

Meanwhile, Uber driver Caban, who managed to fend off his attacker with pepper spray, has filed a lawsuit against Golden. Caban's attorney Rivers Morrell III told City News Service that his client was so frightened by the incident that he has taken to sleeping with a shotgun nearby. He filed a civil lawsuit on 2 November in Orange County Superior Cour accusing Golden of assault, battery, negligence and intentionally inflicting emotional distress. He is seeking over $25,000 in damages.

Golden is scheduled to be arraigned on 17 November. CBS Los Angeles reported prosecutors are expected to ask that his bail be raised to $20,000. The video of the incident, which has since gone viral on YouTube has garnered over 2 million views.

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