Berliner Tageblatt - Taylor Swift Gives $50,000 to Fundraiser for Mother Injured While Helping Crash Victims

Taylor Swift has contributed $50,000 to a fundraising campaign for a Connecticut mother who was seriously injured while helping teenagers after a traffic accident in Rhode Island.

Ashley Taunton, 42, a certified nursing assistant and mother of three, was traveling with her daughter on July 18 when she encountered a crash during severe rain. A vehicle carrying teenagers had hydroplaned, and Taunton stopped to assist them.

While she was helping at the scene, another vehicle lost control on the wet road and moved toward the group. Taunton pushed one of the teenagers away from danger before she was struck.

She suffered extensive injuries, including multiple fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, internal bleeding and injuries to organs. Taunton was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and began what is expected to be a lengthy recovery involving rehabilitation and physical therapy.

A fundraising campaign was established to support Taunton, her husband Joe and their three children while the family deals with medical recovery and everyday expenses.

Swift donated $50,000 to the campaign, making the singer's contribution the largest individual donation reported to the fundraiser. She also left a short message wishing Taunton well in her recovery.

The circumstances of the rescue gained additional attention after Taunton learned that one of the teenagers she had helped, Vinny, was the son of a longtime friend, Jamie O'Rourke.

By Aug. 28, the GoFundMe campaign had collected more than $64,000, while a separate Meal Train fundraiser had raised about $16,000, according to reports on the family's support efforts.

Taunton has spoken about the experience as a life-changing event and about the importance of time with family and loved ones after surviving the collision.

Swift has previously made direct donations to individuals, families and charitable causes. Her latest contribution brought additional public attention to Taunton's recovery campaign and the circumstances in which she was injured.

M.Odermatt--BTB