Uber driver Edward Caban said he knew almost immediately that his Friday night fare in Newport Beach, California was going to be a problem.
Caban recalled that the man was so intoxicated that he couldn't give clear directions, faded in and out of consciousness, swore at him and refused to put on his seat belt.
He knew these kinds of rides often did not end well.
"I have lost so much money on people like him," Caban told NBC Southern California. "And I'm just done dealing with people like that. They take the food right out of my mouth."
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And so, Caban pulled over and told the passenger to get out.
The passenger opened the door as if to leave — then suddenly attacked Caban, punching him from behind.
"He grabbed my head and was trying to smash it against the window," Caban said.
Caban's dashcam captured the assault, which ended when Caban maced the passenger.
"I wanted to make sure he didn't get away," Caban said.
Police arrested the passenger, whom they identified as Benjamin Golden, 32, of Newport Beach. He was charged with public intoxication and assault, police told NBC Southern California.
Uber banned Golden, but that did not satisfy Caban. He said he has quit Uber because he no longer feels safe.