A Taco Bell executive has lost his job after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting his Uber taxi driver.
Dashcam video said to show the violent attack in Costa Mesa, California, on Friday night was posted on YouTube.
It allegedly shows Benjamin Golden slapping, punching and swearing at the driver, Edward Caban.
Mr Caban had repeatedly asked an apparently drunk Golden to get out of his car because he refused to give a drop-off address.
"His response was to beat me over the head," Mr Caban told CBS.
"The next thing I know I have fists flying over my head."
Mr Caban then pepper-sprayed Golden, who was later arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
"I don't feel like he would have stopped if I didn't spray him. The way that he was coming at me, I was afraid he was going to start strangling me," Mr Caban said.
Golden (32) had worked as a marketing executive for Taco Bell, but the fast-food firm fired him after he was charged.
"Given the behaviour of the individual, 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".
Mr Caban said he had picked up Golden from a bar and he had been belligerent from the very start of the journey.
Golden has reportedly been banned for life from using Uber.
Mr Caban also said he no longer wants to work for the company.
"I definitely don't plan on driving for Uber anymore. I'm looking for a job right now," he said.
