The family of a man who was soon to be a father has voiced their satisfaction with the legal charges against his girlfriend, who allegedly caused a fatal car crash in Florida. The incident, which ended tragically, has prompted the family to express their feelings through their legal representative.
Leigha Mumby, aged 24, is facing charges of vehicular homicide following the death of 22-year-old Daniel Waterman. Waterman, originally from New York, was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Mumby in Flagler County, Florida, when the crash occurred on an interstate in February.
Waterman succumbed to his severe injuries on October 8, as reported by FOX35 Orlando. Before his death, he spoke to investigators from his hospital bed, alleging that Mumby had purposefully caused the accident. He recalled her saying, “I don’t care what happens. You’ll get what you deserve.”
“This is a devastating situation with no true victors. The charges brought forth are seen as appropriate and just by the family,” stated John Hager, the family’s attorney, in an interview with Fox News Digital on Saturday. Hager commended the Flagler County State Attorney’s Office for their diligent efforts and expressed the family’s approval of the charges.
Daniel Waterman passed away on October 8, 2025, due to injuries sustained in the February crash. (Photo courtesy of Heather Waterman via FOX35 Orlando WOFL)
At this time, the Flagler County Attorney’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol have not provided comments to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Waterman’s mother told Syracuse.com that he was in a coma for a time before waking and recovering enough to tell investigators what happened before the crash.
Waterman’s grandfather, Michael Gilman, also told CNYCentral.com that Waterman broke his neck, his back, his collarbone in three places, dislocated both hips, broke his leg and his ankle.
Leigha Mumby, 24, had charges upgraded to vehicular homicide following Waterman’s death. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)
“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.
Prosecutors later upgraded Mumby’s 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.
An obituary for Waterman posted on Syracuse.com said he “left this world on October 8th, far too soon following a tragic act of violence.”
“Daniel passed away after courageously fighting for eight months from injuries sustained in a crash,” it continued. “Daniel was an excited, soon-to-be father of a baby girl. He wanted nothing more than to come home to her and to the family who loved him so dearly.”
The portion of I-95 North in Flagler County, Florida, where the crash happened in February. (Google Maps)
“A natural athlete, Daniel especially loved basketball and could often be found on the court, where his passion and determination shone through,” it also said. “His strength, determination, and infectious energy left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.”
