PALM COAST, FL – A 22-year-old New York man died months after regaining consciousness from a coma caused by a violent car crash in Florida that investigators say was deliberately engineered by his pregnant girlfriend during a heated dispute.

Daniel Waterman, originally from New York, suffered catastrophic injuries on February 9 while he and 24-year-old Leigha Mumby were driving along Interstate 95. According to court documents, the pair were engaged in a heated argument regarding her pregnancy and Waterman’s communications with another woman just before their SUV left the road and struck a tree.

After spending more than three months incapacitated in a hospital, Waterman awoke from his coma in mid-May. Unable to speak due to the severity of his injuries, he spelled out words for detectives by indicating letters on a board. In this way, Waterman told authorities that Mumby had intentionally driven off the road after telling him, “You’ll get what you deserve,” according to a criminal complaint.

Records show that Waterman sustained grave injuries in the crash, including multiple fractures, a cervical spine injury, internal bleeding, and serious head trauma. Despite lengthy medical intervention, his recovery was hindered by complications, and Waterman ultimately died from pneumonia related to his injuries on October 8.

Family members described Waterman as tenacious in his fight to recover, insisting that he never lost hope even during the most difficult moments of his ordeal. His mother recounted his determination to communicate with authorities and share his account of the crash.

Following Waterman’s statements to investigators, Mumby, who had faced initial charges of reckless driving with serious bodily harm and aggravated battery, was later charged with vehicular homicide after his death.

The court complaint reveals that, during the drive, Mumby allegedly became enraged upon discovering her pregnancy and seeing a message on Waterman’s phone from a woman in New York. She purportedly sped up the Honda Passport before veering off the road.

A cousin of Waterman, Jessica Stappenbeck, said she received unsettling messages from Waterman’s phone just minutes prior to the crash, with Mumby reportedly texting, “This is what he gets for being a liar and a cheater.” Stappenbeck said the couple had left her home early that day, following discussions about the pregnancy and their relationship.

According to investigators, Waterman tried to exit the vehicle while Mumby was driving at lower speeds, but she accelerated again before the crash. He told police the last thing he remembered was her telling him he would “get what he deserved.”

Waterman’s family has expressed a desire to secure custody of the child Mumby was carrying at the time of the crash. They say Waterman’s final wish was that his daughter be raised by his relatives in New York.

Mumby was released on bond and has a court appearance scheduled for November 19, where she will face the upgraded charges.