A soon-to-be father who fell into a coma following a traumatic car accident woke up briefly to accuse his pregnant girlfriend of causing the crash. Daniel Waterman sustained severe injuries after their vehicle collided with a tree, resulting in broken bones, spinal trauma, and punctured lungs. He slipped into a coma after the incident in February.
In a surprising turn of events in May, Daniel regained consciousness and communicated with detectives using a whiteboard due to his limited ability to speak. He revealed a heated argument between himself and his partner, Leigha Mumby, triggered by her pregnancy and a text message from a female acquaintance who shared his sports interests.
Daniel recounted to authorities that while driving on Interstate 95 in Flagler County, Florida, Mumby, who was allegedly driving, drove recklessly, escalating the situation. Despite his attempts to exit the moving vehicle for safety, Mumby accelerated to speeds between 80 and 90 mph, ultimately causing the crash by intentionally veering off the road into a tree.
Mumby, also injured in the incident, denied knowledge of the crash’s cause, claiming she woke up in pain after the accident. Investigative reports supported Daniel’s version of events, confirming the sequence of the crash through the car’s data recorder. While Daniel initially showed signs of improvement and was transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on October 8 due to pneumonia.
Following his tragic death, Mumby was charged with vehicular homicide and incarcerated. Daniel’s family, devastated by the loss, is now seeking custody of the baby pending a paternity test. They are determined to ensure the child knows her father’s legacy and are actively involved in legal proceedings to secure her future.
Mumby has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges against her, according to online court records, with no plea indicated for the homicide charge. The family remains committed to honoring Daniel’s memory and providing a positive upbringing for the child, emphasizing the importance of preserving his legacy.