Young Man’s Final Statement After Crash Leads to Criminal Investigation

A Crash That Began With an Argument

Daniel Waterman, a 22-year-old originally from the Syracuse area of New York, became the focus of a tragic and complex investigation following a serious car crash on Super Bowl Sunday in 2025.

Waterman had been traveling along Interstate 95 in Flagler County, Florida, seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by his girlfriend, Leigha Mumby, who was 24 years old and pregnant at the time.

According to information later presented in court documents, the couple reportedly began arguing while driving. What started as a disagreement quickly intensified during the trip.

Shortly afterward, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed. The impact left Waterman with severe injuries that required immediate medical attention.

The crash set off a months-long legal process that would eventually involve investigators, court filings, and statements from family members.

Critical Injuries and a Brief Awakening

After the crash, Waterman was hospitalized with critical injuries and placed under intensive medical care. For a significant period of time, he remained unconscious as doctors worked to stabilize his condition.

During his recovery, he briefly regained consciousness and was able to communicate with investigators. Those moments would become a key part of the investigation that followed.

Waterman ultimately died on October 8, 2025, from complications connected to the injuries he suffered in the crash.

Before his death, however, he was able to share information with authorities regarding what he believed had happened inside the vehicle before it left the road.

Statement Given to Investigators

According to court records cited in reports from People and the New York Post, Waterman told investigators that the crash occurred shortly after an intense argument inside the vehicle.

Investigators documented his statement as part of the official case record. In the account he provided, he said that tensions escalated rapidly in the moments leading up to the accident.

He reported hearing a statement during the argument that he later repeated to authorities: “I don’t care what happens. You’ll get what you deserve.”

Those words became a significant detail in the investigation, prompting authorities to review the circumstances surrounding the crash more closely.

Despite the severity of the collision, Mumby survived the crash along with the couple’s baby, though she was also injured in the incident.

Details About the Moments Before the Crash

Several months after the accident, in May 2025, Waterman was able to describe more about what he said occurred during the drive.

According to the account recorded by investigators, the argument began after Mumby told him she was pregnant. Around the same time, Waterman received a text message from a woman in New York.

The situation reportedly led to heightened emotions between the two. Waterman claimed that during the disagreement the vehicle began moving erratically.

He also told authorities that he attempted to leave the vehicle while it was still in motion but was unable to exit before the crash occurred.

The car ultimately left the road and collided with a tree, causing severe injuries to Waterman and additional injuries to Mumby.

Family Responds to the Allegations

Waterman’s mother, Heather Waterman, later spoke publicly about the events leading up to the crash. She addressed the text message that had been mentioned as part of the argument.

In comments to syracuse.com, she said the message exchange involved a friendly conversation between football fans and did not reflect any romantic involvement.

The family described the situation as deeply painful and emphasized their hope that the investigation would bring clarity about what happened during the drive.

For them, the months following the crash were filled with hospital visits, uncertainty, and concern about Waterman’s condition.

Communication Through a Whiteboard

While still recovering from the coma, Waterman was eventually able to communicate more clearly with investigators in May.

Because speaking remained difficult during his recovery, he used a whiteboard to write responses and provide details about the events that led up to the crash.

According to his mother, the written statements he shared during this period became an important part of the case.

Those statements were reviewed by investigators and later contributed to legal action related to the incident.

The information gathered during these conversations helped authorities develop a clearer timeline of the events surrounding the crash.

Legal Charges Filed

Following the investigation and Waterman’s statements, Mumby was initially arrested in connection with the crash.

Court records show that in July she was charged with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

At that stage, the case focused on the circumstances surrounding the accident and the injuries Waterman suffered.

After Waterman died in October from complications related to the crash, authorities updated the legal case.

The charges were upgraded to vehicular homicide, reflecting the change in circumstances following his death.

A Family Focused on the Future

In the months following Waterman’s death, his family began focusing on another deeply important matter: the future of the baby they believe is his child.

Heather Waterman said the family hopes to gain custody so the child can grow up surrounded by relatives in New York.

She explained that the family believes this would honor Daniel Waterman’s wishes and keep his memory close to those who loved him.

“We’ll do whatever we can do to bring her to us,” Heather Waterman told syracuse.com.

She added that her son had hoped his child would be raised in New York among family members who cared deeply about her future.

An Ongoing Case

The investigation and legal process surrounding the crash continue to unfold as authorities review evidence and court proceedings move forward.

For Waterman’s family, the case represents both a search for answers and an effort to preserve the memory of a young man whose life ended far too soon.

While legal questions remain for the courts to address, the story has drawn attention to the tragic consequences that can follow moments of conflict behind the wheel.

As the case progresses, the family remains focused on honoring Daniel Waterman’s life and supporting the child they believe carries his legacy.