Father-to-be wakes from coma, tells police girlfriend crashed car on purpose before he dies
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In a tragic turn of events, a young man’s final words have sparked a criminal investigation following his untimely death from injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this year. Daniel Waterman, aged 22, succumbed to his injuries on October 8, but not before regaining consciousness and making a startling revelation to law enforcement.

The incident occurred during Super Bowl weekend in February, when Waterman was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend, 24-year-old Leigha Mumby. The couple was traveling along an interstate in Flagler County, Florida, when the crash took place. According to a report by FOX35 Orlando, Waterman endured critical injuries that eventually led to his death months later.

Before his passing, Waterman spent a period in a coma. Upon regaining consciousness, he provided investigators with a crucial account of the moments leading up to the accident. Speaking from his hospital bed, he alleged that Mumby had deliberately caused the crash. He reportedly recalled her saying ominously, “I don’t care what happens. You’ll get what you deserve,” moments before the collision.

Waterman’s mother shared his account with Syracuse.com, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against Mumby. The details provided by Waterman have since prompted law enforcement to pursue charges against her, as they investigate the possibility of vehicular homicide.

Daniel Waterman smiling in hospital bed as he's hooked up to various machines

The case, marked by its complexities and the emotional weight of Waterman’s dying testimony, continues to unfold as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding that fateful February night. As the investigation progresses, the poignant story of Waterman’s final words serves as a somber reminder of the fragile nature of life and the far-reaching consequences of our actions.

Waterman’s grandfather, Michael Gilman, told CNYCentral.com that Waterman broke his neck, his back, his collarbone in three places, dislocated both hips, broke his leg and his ankle.

“He broke everything,” he said. “It wasn’t much, not broken. He was scratched up all over the place.”

Mumby was initially arrested in July and charged with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Mumby had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Leigha Mumby mugshot

Leigha Mumby, 24, had charges upgraded to vehicular homicide following Waterman’s death. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)

Prosecutors upgraded Mumby’s earlier charges to vehicular homicide earlier this week following Waterman’s death. She was booked into the Flagler County Jail and released after posting a $150,000 bond.

“This was not an accident,” John Hager, an attorney for the Waterman family, told FOX35. “Evidence showed she didn’t use the brakes — the car was speeding up at the time of impact.”

Hager also confirmed that Mumby was pregnant with Waterman’s child at the time of the crash and has since given birth.

A GoFundMe set up for Waterman said that he was excited about becoming a father.

“Daniel was an excited, soon-to-be father of a baby girl,” it said. “He wanted nothing more than to come home to her and to the family who loved him so dearly. There was not a day that went by that he didn’t express that he just wanted to come home.”

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