PALM COAST, Fla. — A man’s dying words have culminated in the arrest of his girlfriend, who now faces charges of vehicular homicide following a tragic incident on February 9. Leigha Mumby, 24, was taken into custody amid allegations that her reckless driving while arguing with her boyfriend led to a severe crash.
According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, Mumby and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Daniel Waterman, were embroiled in a heated dispute when the vehicle veered off course. It is alleged that Mumby accelerated to speeds exceeding 90 mph before crashing into a tree. Waterman’s family reported that he sustained critical injuries and fell into a coma following the accident.
After regaining consciousness, Waterman provided investigators with a troubling account, stating that Mumby had intentionally caused the crash during their argument. A complaint reveals that tensions escalated after Waterman discovered Mumby was pregnant and received a concerning text from another woman.
During their quarrel, Waterman attempted to escape the car, yet Mumby reportedly accelerated instead and told him, “I don’t care what happens, you’ll get what you deserve,” just moments before the vehicle collided with the tree. Both occupants suffered serious injuries, with Mumby later claiming to have no memory of the events leading up to the collision, stating she only recalled waking up in “agonizing pain.”
Tragically, Waterman died on October 8, prompting law enforcement to elevate the charges against Mumby to vehicular homicide. She was booked into the Flagler County Jail but later released after posting a $150,000 bond.
Initially, Mumby faced charges related to causing serious bodily harm, but the recent death of Waterman significantly altered the legal proceedings. Reports confirm that Mumby was pregnant at the time of the crash and has since given birth to their child.
In the aftermath, Waterman’s family is advocating for custody of the newborn while pending the results of a paternity test. “We can’t let the baby grow up with a mom who could possibly do this,” Waterman’s grandfather expressed to local media.
As the legal ramifications continue to develop, the focus remains not only on the tragic loss of life but also on the implications for the newborn, who now faces an uncertain future.