Man Crashes Car, Allegedly Attacks Couple

An elderly couple were attacked by a man outside their house Friday after he crashed his car into their wrought iron fence inside a gated community in Oak View, authorities said.

David Wallace Taggart, 34, had been visiting his ex-wife’s house when his car sped down her steep driveway and into the couple’s gate and their house in the 1000 block of Serenidad Place, Sheriff’s Senior Deputy Jim Aguirre said.

“I don’t know if he lost control or couldn’t turn or what,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of answers.”

After getting out of the car, Taggart allegedly attacked Mary Thompson, 77, and then her husband, Ben Thompson, 83, with his fists, Aguirre said.

Mary Thompson was knocked unconscious, Aguirre said. She was taken to Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition.

Nursing Supervisor Pam Wells said Thompson’s condition had improved on Saturday. She had fractures in her facial bones, Wells said.

Ben Thompson was taken to Ojai Hospital and discharged Saturday morning. Authorities did not know the extent of his injuries.

Taggart was taken to Ventura County Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, authorities said.