A Connecticut mother of three who was severely injured while saving a teenager from an oncoming car during a Rhode Island rainstorm has received a massive boost in her recovery efforts from pop superstar Taylor Swift. The music icon contributed $50,000 to a GoFundMe campaign established for 42-year-old Ashley Taunton, a certified nursing assistant who faces a long road to recovery after her heroic actions on Interstate 95.
The life-altering incident occurred on July 18 on I-95 South in Rhode Island. Taunton had stopped her vehicle during a severe rainstorm to assist a group of teenagers whose car had hydroplaned. While she was helping the teens on the side of the highway, another vehicle lost control, hydroplaned, and hurtled directly toward them. In a split second, Taunton pushed another person out of harm's way, taking the full force of the oncoming vehicle's impact herself.
On August 28, a donation of $50,000 appeared on the GoFundMe page supporting Taunton, accompanied by a supportive message from Swift. "Wishing you the best recovery possible and sending love to your family!" the comment read. With the massive boost from Swift, the fundraiser quickly surged past its previous total, raising more than $74,000 as of August 29.
The fundraiser's organizer, Laura Ortelt, expressed her amazement at the singer's gesture. Ortelt, who has been a dedicated fan of Swift for two decades, said she had to pull over in tears when she saw the donation. "This is certainly a huge surprise and the generosity of Taylor is well known and appreciated," Ortelt said. She added that experiencing Swift's generosity firsthand felt completely surreal. Almost immediately after Swift's donation, fans of the pop star began flooding the page with $13 donations—a nod to Swift's famous lucky number and her December 13 birthday. Ortelt thanked Swift from the bottom of her heart, writing that the singer had once again changed someone's world with her humanity.
For Taunton and her family, the financial support arrives at a critical moment. Just two hours before learning about Swift's donation, Taunton had been feeling overwhelmed with sadness regarding the toll her immobility was taking on her husband, Joe Taunton, and their three children. Joe, who is the family's primary breadwinner, had completely exhausted his available work leave to care for his injured wife. Taunton expressed deep humility and gratitude upon hearing the news, stating that she was thankful that God used people to bless them and that her story reached someone like Swift. She added that she has long admired Swift's songwriting and her ability to remain real and connect with people. Additionally, Taunton noted that Swift has always felt like a familiar presence in their lives because they frequently see the singer's coastal Rhode Island mansion from Misquamicut State Beach.
The physical toll of the accident has been devastating. In a recent interview, Taunton recalled the terrifying moment of the crash, describing the impact of the car as feeling like a massive explosion. She remembered lying on the ground, seeing her ankle hanging uselessly, and being unable to breathe. Her daughter rushed to her side and remained with her until first responders arrived on the scene. Believing she had internal bleeding, Taunton prayed in the ambulance, fearing she would not survive.
Taunton was hospitalized in Rhode Island with multiple life-threatening injuries. Her medical diagnoses included a bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, lacerations to her liver and spleen, multiple fractured ribs, and a ruptured diaphragm. She underwent two major surgeries within the first 18 hours of her admission, with several subsequent procedures scheduled. Doctors estimate that her recovery, which will require extensive physical therapy, could take up to a year.
The funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be used to cover medical expenses not paid for by insurance, daily household bills, groceries for Taunton's three children, and travel costs for commuting back and forth to the hospital.
Despite the traumatic nature of the accident, Taunton’s resolve remains unshaken. A devout Christian, she explained that her faith heavily guided her decision to step in and help strangers in a moment of crisis. She stated that she would not hesitate to help someone in trouble again. Reflecting on her survival and the outpouring of support, Taunton said she is in awe of how evident God's hand has been throughout the ordeal, putting the right people in the right places to ensure her recovery.
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