What happened
On the night of Super Bowl weekend in February 2025, 22-year-old Daniel Waterman, an expectant father, was riding as a passenger in a vehicle driven by his then-girlfriend, 24-year-old Leigha Mumby, in Flagler County, Florida. According to the arrest affidavit and multiple media sources, the vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree.
Investigators say the collision stemmed from a heated argument. Mumby reportedly found out she was pregnant and allegedly discovered a message on Waterman’s phone from another woman, which sparked the fight.
While the couple was driving on Interstate 95 (I-95), Waterman accused Mumby of saying: “You’ll get what you deserve.” Shortly after, the car apparently accelerated and crashed into the tree.
The aftermath for the victim
Daniel Waterman suffered catastrophic injuries, including a broken neck, broken back, dislocated hips, a broken leg and ankle, and collapsed lungs - his family described “everything broken.” He remained in a coma for several months. In May 2025 he briefly regained consciousness and communicated via whiteboard with investigators, accusing Mumby of deliberately causing the crash.
On October 8, 2025, Waterman died from complications of his injuries (including pneumonia).
Legal developments
Initially, Mumby was charged in July 2025 with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After Waterman’s death, prosecutors upgraded the charge to vehicular homicide.
Mumby - who was pregnant at the time of the crash and later gave birth - has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges; it is not yet publicly reported how she has responded to the upgraded homicide charge.
Family reaction & custody battle
Waterman’s family say they are now seeking custody of the unborn child, pending paternity results. They have vowed to raise the child in his memory, saying: “We can’t let the baby grow up with a mom that could possibly do this,” according to his grandfather.
