Taylor Swift Donates $50,000 to Rhode Island Good Samaritan Struck by Car

Ashley Taunton was seriously injured after stopping to help teens involved in a hydroplaning accident on I-95.

Taunton, 42, a certified nursing assistant, was driving south on I-95 in July with her youngest daughter when she came upon a group of teenagers whose vehicle had hydroplaned in a rainstorm.

She stopped to help move them to safety. While assisting, another car hydroplaned toward the group; Taunton pushed one of the teens out of the way and was struck herself, absorbing the impact.

The gesture continues a pattern for Swift, who has a long history of quietly funding GoFundMe campaigns for fans and strangers facing medical emergencies, including past donations to families affected by natural disasters and accidents.

Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinted in whole or in part in Billboard publications.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.

Billboard is a part of PMX Global, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Billboard Media, LLC. All rights reserved.