Taylor Swift has donated $50,000 to a Connecticut mother who was seriously injured after pushing a teenager out of the path of an oncoming car.
Ashley Taunton, 42, was driving on I-95 in Rhode Island with her youngest daughter on July 18 when she stopped after spotting a group of teenagers whose vehicle had hydroplaned, PEOPLE reports.
The certified nursing assistant got out of her car and told her daughter to stay back and call her husband before going to check on the teenagers.
As Taunton was speaking to the group, another vehicle lost control on the wet road and began heading towards them.
She immediately pushed one of the teenagers out of the way before being struck by the car herself.
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“It just felt like a big explosion,” Taunton told PEOPLE. “I just remember being on the ground and I could see my ankle was just hanging there. I went to try to get up and I couldn’t breathe.”
Taunton was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with multiple life-threatening injuries, including damage to both internal carotid arteries, liver and spleen lacerations, multiple broken ribs and a ruptured diaphragm.
A GoFundMe was subsequently set up by Taunton's friend Laura Ortelt to help with medical and other expenses during her recovery.
Taunton was heading to a physical therapy appointment when her friends attempted to contact her with some unexpected news.
When she couldn't answer, they called her husband Joe, who was with her.
“He said, ‘No way. Supposedly Taylor Swift just donated $50,000 to the GoFundMe,’” Taunton told PEOPLE.
Taylor Swift. Jamie Lamor Thompson, Shutterstock
She said she was initially in disbelief, before the donation was verified by GoFundMe.
“Then my stomach flipped and I got tears in my eyes but I also was in disbelief,” she said. “My physical therapist was shocked, and my husband had to walk outside and gather himself.”
Taunton said Taylor Swift's donation will help ease the financial pressure on her husband, who has become her main carer while she continues to recover.
“It is also so surreal to have someone of her status do something so kind and generous to a regular person,” she said.
The family works at a hotel on Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island, where Taunton says they can see Swift's house from their workplace.
“Her music is always streaming on our device. So this was mind-blowing!” she added.
Taylor Swift. Brian Friedman, Shutterstock
The GoFundMe had raised more than $90,000 as of August 31, with donations increasing following Swift's contribution. A separate Meal Train fundraiser has also raised more than $16,000.
Taunton said the money will help the family manage bills, care for their children and animals and allow her to concentrate on her recovery.
“I still don’t even know how to articulate how thankful we are and I wish I could hug Taylor and everyone who has blessed us,” she said.
