Taylor Swift made a $50,000 donation to a Rhode Island mother who sustained life-threatening injuries after stopping to help victims of a car crash on Interstate 95, according to reports confirmed by the Daily Mail.
The I-95 Hydroplane Crash and Rescue
Ashley Taunton, 42, was driving south on Interstate 95 with her youngest daughter last month when she witnessed a teenage driver’s vehicle hydroplane and crash, according to the Daily Mail. Taunton pulled over to assist the occupants, whom she described to People magazine as being “a little bit banged up.” As she attempted to guide the teenagers away from traffic during heavy rainy weather, a second vehicle hydroplaned and barreled toward them. Taunton pushed one of the teenagers, a boy named Vinny, out of the path of the oncoming car, according to the Daily Mail. The impact caused severe injuries, with Taunton telling People that she experienced internal bleeding and recalls seeing her ankle severely damaged. Her daughter rushed to her side to hold her hand while waiting for emergency responders.
Extent of Injuries and Hospital Recovery
Taunton, a certified nursing assistant, sustained a slate of critical injuries, according to the Daily Mail. Her medical diagnosis included bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, liver and spleen lacerations, multiple rib fractures, and a ruptured diaphragm. She received emergency treatment and spent time recovering in the hospital, where her physical therapy is expected to take up to a full year. The connection to the teenager she saved became clear while she was hospitalized, when a family friend named Jamie O’Rourke visited Taunton’s husband, Joe, and learned the identity of the person who intervened. O’Rourke told WPRI that Taunton displayed immense courage by putting herself in harm’s way to protect others.
Taylor Swift’s Donation and GoFundMe Support
To help cover ongoing medical and recovery expenses, Taunton and her husband Joe launched a GoFundMe campaign alongside a Meal Train page, according to the Daily Mail. The GoFundMe campaign initially set a goal of $110,000. By Friday evening, contributions had surpassed $64,000, bolstered by a top donation of $50,000 from a donor listed under the name Taylor Swift. Simultaneously, the Meal Train effort raised over $16,000 toward its $20,000 target.
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