Palm Coast, FL – A 24-year-old Florida woman is facing vehicular homicide charges after her boyfriend, Daniel Waterman, died months after waking from a coma and telling investigators that she intentionally crashed their car during a heated argument. The shocking revelation came after Waterman, who had been in a coma for three months, communicated through letter boards before his death on October 8.
The Incident: Crash After Heated Argument
According to a criminal complaint obtained by authorities, the crash occurred on February 9, 2024, along Interstate 95 near Palm Coast, Florida. Police say Leigha Mumby, 24, was driving a 2019 Honda Passport with Waterman, 22, as her passenger. The couple had reportedly been arguing after Mumby discovered she was pregnant earlier that day.
“I don’t care what happens, you’ll get what you deserve,” Mumby allegedly told Waterman moments before swerving off the road and colliding with a tree, according to the complaint.
The crash left Waterman critically injured, suffering multiple fractures, a cervical spine injury, femur and hip fractures, and a severe head injury. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital, where he remained in a coma for over three months.
Investigators initially believed the crash to be an accident — until Waterman awoke and told police what happened.
Investigation and Evidence: Victim’s Account from Hospital Bed
Waterman regained consciousness in May 2024, and despite being unable to speak, he communicated with detectives using a letter board, making sounds to select individual letters.
According to investigators, Waterman indicated that Mumby intentionally caused the crash following an argument about her pregnancy and a text message he had received from a female friend in New York.
“Daniel stated that Leigha began driving recklessly,” the investigator wrote in the report. “She slowed the vehicle to 50 mph before accelerating to 80–90 mph, stating, ‘You’ll get what you deserve,’ before swerving into a tree.”
Police say Waterman’s story aligned with text messages sent from his phone just before the collision. His cousin, Jessica Stappenbeck, told FlaglerLive.com that Mumby texted her from Waterman’s phone saying,
“This is what he gets for being a liar and a cheater.”
Investigators also found that the couple had been planning to watch the Super Bowl together at Stappenbeck’s home earlier that evening but left before the game ended. Shortly afterward, they began traveling north on I-95, where the fatal crash occurred.
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
After Waterman provided his statement to police, Mumby was arrested in July 2024 and charged with reckless driving causing serious bodily harm and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Following Waterman’s death from pneumonia on October 8, the State Attorney’s Office upgraded the charges to vehicular homicide. She is currently out on bond and awaiting a November 19 court appearance in Flagler County Circuit Court.
If convicted, Mumby faces up to 15 years in prison under Florida law. Prosecutors have described the case as one of intentional reckless disregard for human life.
Family Reactions: A Final Wish for Custody of His Daughter
Waterman’s family says his final wish was to ensure that his unborn daughter — the child Mumby was pregnant with at the time of the crash — would be raised by his family in New York.
“He never gave up,” Waterman’s mother told Syracuse.com. “This whole entire time, he literally never gave up. His only dying wish was for us to bring his daughter home.”
The family is now pursuing legal steps to gain custody of the baby girl, who was born months after the crash. “We’ll do whatever we can do to bring her to us,” his mother added.
Background Context: From Tragic Crash to Criminal Case
Initially treated as a tragic accident, the case turned into a homicide investigation once police confirmed that Waterman’s account matched the physical evidence. Investigators found no mechanical issues with the car and determined that the impact trajectory was consistent with an intentional swerve.
The case also highlights a rare legal scenario — where a victim’s statement, made after months in a coma, became a crucial part of the evidence leading to criminal charges. Legal experts have noted that dying declarations and written communications from incapacitated victims often carry significant weight in court.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
As of October, Mumby remains free on bond, and prosecutors are preparing for trial. The court is expected to review additional forensic evidence, including crash data from the vehicle’s onboard system and phone records verifying the text messages sent before the crash.
Meanwhile, Waterman’s family continues to advocate for justice in both Florida and New York, holding vigils and fundraisers in his memory. “He was full of life, and he deserved better,” a family spokesperson said.
Conclusion
The death of Daniel Waterman — following a months-long coma and a chilling final revelation — has turned a Florida traffic crash into a high-profile homicide case. As his family seeks justice and custody of his daughter, Leigha Mumby now faces the consequences of what prosecutors allege was a deliberate act of violence behind the wheel.
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