A young father-to-be from Florida briefly regained consciousness after a devastating car crash — just long enough to give investigators a chilling account of what happened the night he nearly lost his life.
Daniel Waterman, 22, later died from complications related to his injuries.
But not before claiming his pregnant girlfriend, Leigha Mumby, deliberately caused the crash during a heated argument, according to court documents cited by People and the New York Post.
Super Bowl Night Turns Deadly on Florida Highway
Waterman, originally from the Syracuse area in New York, had been riding in the passenger seat while Mumby, 24, drove along Interstate 95 in Flagler County, Florida, on Super Bowl Sunday in February.
The couple reportedly began arguing during the drive, and the confrontation quickly escalated.
According to the arrest affidavit, Waterman told authorities that Mumby’s anger boiled over when she allegedly said: “I don’t care what happens. You’ll get what you deserve,” moments before the crash.
The vehicle veered off the road and slammed into a tree, leaving both occupants seriously injured. Waterman was placed in a coma, while Mumby — who was pregnant at the time — also suffered severe injuries but survived. Her unborn baby also survived and has since been born.
Daniel Waterman sadly passed away. Credit: Tiffany Waterman / Facebook
Waterman’s Last Words Revealed Disturbing Details
During a May interview with investigators, Waterman reportedly recounted what led to the crash, per PEOPLE.
The affidavit states that he claimed Mumby drove the vehicle into the tree after an argument that began when she told him she was pregnant and after he received a text message from a woman in New York.
As the fight intensified, Waterman alleged that Mumby began driving erratically. At one point, she slowed the car, and Waterman tried to escape, according to the complaint. Moments later, the vehicle crashed.
Waterman’s mother, Heather Waterman, later told syracuse.com that the text message at the center of the argument was innocent — a friendly exchange between football fans.
Her son was a Kansas City Chiefs supporter, while the woman texting him rooted for the Philadelphia Eagles, the two teams facing off that night in the Super Bowl.
Leigha Mumby. Credit: Flagler County Sheriff's Office
Communication From His Hospital Bed
While recovering from his coma, Waterman was eventually able to communicate with investigators in May using a whiteboard, his mother told syracuse.com. It was then that he implicated Mumby in the crash, providing written statements that led to her initial arrest.
Mumby allegedly told authorities she didn’t remember what caused the collision. Court records indicate she was first charged in July with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Waterman allegedly told police that his girlfriend was behind the crash. Credit: Tiffany Waterman / Facebook
Charges Upgraded After Waterman’s Death
After months of treatment in Florida, Waterman was transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse in July to continue his recovery.
Despite showing signs of progress, he died on October 8 from pneumonia related to his injuries, syracuse.com reported.
Following his death, authorities upgraded Mumby’s charges to vehicular homicide, according to People.
Waterman’s family is now focused on gaining custody of the baby they believe is his. His mother said she intends to prove paternity through the courts and bring the child to New York to be raised among his relatives.
“We’ll do whatever we can do to bring her to us,” Heather Waterman told syracuse.com. “He wanted her raised in New York with his family.”
Even through his pain and long fight for recovery, Heather said her son never gave up.