Daniel Waterman, 22, briefly regained consciousness from a coma before he passed away – and what he revealed to authorities changed everything.
Daniel Waterman suffered severe injuries in a car accident on Super Bowl Sunday in 2025. Hailing from the Syracuse area in New York, he was a passenger while his pregnant girlfriend, Leigha Mumby, 24, was driving along Interstate 95 in Flagler County, Florida.
Reports indicate that the couple started to argue during the drive, and their tensions escalated just moments prior to the crash. The vehicle veered off the road, leaving Waterman with life-threatening injuries. When he momentarily woke from his coma, he disclosed information to investigators that would alter the course of the case.
Waterman, who succumbed to complications from his injuries on October 8, 2025, allegedly told authorities that Mumby intentionally caused the crash.
As per court documents referenced by People and the New York Post, he stated that Mumby’s anger reached a peak just before the accident, declaring: “I don’t care what happens. You’ll get what you deserve.”
Both Mumby and their baby survived the incident, despite her also sustaining injuries in the crash.
Waterman attempted to flee
In May 2025, Waterman shared the events leading up to the crash. He stated that Mumby drove the car into a tree following an argument that started when she informed him of her pregnancy and he received a text from a woman in New York. Waterman claimed that Mumby began to drive erratically. He tried to escape from the vehicle, but was unable to exit before the crash occurred.
Heather Waterman, Waterman’s mother, later informed syracuse.com that the text message that sparked the argument was merely a friendly conversation between football enthusiasts.
While still recuperating from his coma, Waterman was able to communicate with investigators in May using a whiteboard, according to his mother. His written accounts led to Mumby’s initial arrest.
Mumby reportedly told authorities that she could not recall what led to the collision. Court documents indicate that she was first charged in July with reckless driving, causing serious bodily injury, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After Waterman’s passing, authorities escalated the charges to vehicular homicide, as reported by People.
Waterman’s family is now concentrating on obtaining custody of the baby they believe is his. “We’ll do whatever we can to bring her to us,” Heather Waterman told syracuse.com. “He wanted her to be raised in New York with his family.”
