Man Accused In Violent Attack On Peninsula Uber Driver Pleads No Contest

MONTARA, CA — A man pleaded no contest Monday to felony assault charges for striking a 65-year-old Uber driver in the head with a baseball bat in June, San Mateo County prosecutors said. Marc Orrante, 56, was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and elder abuse June 19 in the Montara area of unincorporated San Mateo County.

Prosecutors said Orrante had mistaken the ride-hailing service driver for his daughter's ex-boyfriend, and thought the victim was trying to persuade her to move back in. The attack left the driver bleeding profusely from the head, and the wound had to be stapled shut.

Orrante returns to court for sentencing Dec. 12, when he faces up to a year in county jail. He's out on $25,000 bail on condition of no contact with the victim. He's also required to submit to weekly alcohol testing.

Defense attorney Michael DeVoy was not immediately available for comment on the case.

By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock