Taylor Swift has donated $50,000 to a Rhode Island mother of three who was seriously injured while helping a group of teenagers involved in a highway crash.
Ashley Taunton was driving on I-95 in Hopkinton during a torrential rainstorm on July 18 when she saw a car hydroplane off the road ahead of her.
She pulled over and ran to help the teens inside, but as she was assisting them, a second vehicle lost control on the wet road and barreled toward the group.
According to a GoFundMe set up to support her recovery, “In a split-second act of pure bravery, Ashley pushed the other person out of harm’s way, taking the brunt of the impact herself.”
Taunton’s husband, Joe, said she suffered severe leg injuries along with extensive internal trauma, including damage to her small and large intestines, liver lacerations, and a ruptured diaphragm that caused one of her lungs to collapse.
She’s undergone at least three surgeries and spent time in a medically induced coma during her recovery, which she’s documented on social media through photos showing her hospital stay and, more recently, her return home in a leg brace.
Swift made her donation on August 28, leaving a message alongside it on the fundraiser, “Wishing you the best recovery possible and sending love to your family!”
Taunton, 42, said she had to pull over just to process the news after seeing the notification, later posting on Instagram, “This is absolutely mind-blowing and so very humbling. @taylorswift you are a beautiful soul I wish I could hug you IRL.”
Speaking to PEOPLE afterward, she reflected on the broader outpouring of support she’s received, “I am in awe of how God works and how so many can be the hands and feet of Christ to bring triumph from tragedy. It has been an overwhelming blessing and we are so grateful.”
She added that the donation, and the wider fundraising campaign, will help cover household bills, hospital travel costs and medical expenses not covered by insurance, allowing her to focus on healing while her husband cares for their children.
