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Development after dad-to-be woke from coma, made a damning statement about his girlfriend to police, and then died
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The trial regarding a fatal car crash in Florida has brought forward chilling details involving a pregnant woman accused of intentionally driving into a tree.
Daniel Waterman, a twenty-two-year-old native of New York, suffered severe trauma after his girlfriend, Leigha Mumby, allegedly steered the vehicle off the road on February 9, 2025.
Prosecutors state that the crash occurred in Flagler County following an argument about suspected infidelity.
Sarah Stappenbeck, Waterman's cousin, testified on the opening day of the trial about phone calls she received from Mumby shortly before the collision.
According to the testimony, Mumby discovered a positive pregnancy test that morning and quickly grew worried that Waterman was talking to other women.
The couple had spent the day at the beach and attended a Super Bowl party at Stappenbeck's house before leaving early.
Subsequent phone interactions revealed escalating tension. Stappenbeck described hearing Mumby screaming over the phone about text messages while driving.
Despite urging them to remain calm and travel safely, Stappenbeck noted that Mumby accused her of taking Waterman's side before abruptly ending the conversation.
Details of the collision emerge in court
Investigators analyzed data from the vehicle indicating extreme acceleration prior to impact. According to an affidavit reviewed by authorities, Mumby's Honda Passport reached ninety-three miles per hour just five seconds before hitting a tree at 10:25PM.
Police officer Darin Harper noted that the brakes were never applied and the accelerator reached full throttle at the moment of the crash.
Waterman suffered catastrophic injuries including chest trauma, lung damage, blood clots, a dislocated hip, and multiple fractures to his spine, clavicle, and femur.
He remained in a coma for several months following the incident. When he eventually regained consciousness in the hospital, he communicated using a letter board. His aunt stated that he told his mother, “Help me, help me. She killed me, she killed me.”
Tragic aftermath of the crash
Daniel Waterman passed away eight months after the crash, just three days before Mumby gave birth to their daughter. Leigha Mumby faces a charge of vehicular homicide.
Prosecutors argue that the crash was a deliberate act driven by jealousy, while the defense maintains that the event was merely a tragic accident.
Legal observers have noted similarities between this case and the trial of Mackenzie Shirilla, an Ohio woman convicted of murder after driving at high speeds into a brick wall and killing her boyfriend.
Mumby's trial continues in Florida as the court examines the evidence, phone records, and vehicle data to determine what happened on the road that February night.
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