Overview
- On July 18, Ashley Taunton stopped on I‑95 in Rhode Island during a severe rainstorm to help teenagers from a hydroplaning crash and was struck after pushing one person to safety.
- Taunton suffered multiple life‑threatening injuries and has undergone several major surgeries with more procedures and extended rehabilitation expected.
- A GoFundMe organized by friend Laura Ortelt was launched to cover medical bills not paid by insurance, travel to the hospital, daily household expenses and groceries for the couple’s three children.
- Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to the campaign on Aug. 28 and left a comment reading, “Wishing you the best recovery possible and sending love to your family,” making it the fundraiser’s largest single gift and boosting the total to roughly $74,000.
- The public boost has increased small donations and attention to the family's needs, and the donation fits a pattern of Swift’s private charitable gifts, including a reported $26 million campaign earlier this year.