Tragic Incident Involving Expectant Father and Girlfriend

On Super Bowl Sunday earlier this year, a man anticipating fatherhood fell into a coma after his girlfriend’s car accident. Reports say that he later awoke briefly before passing away, sharing unsettling details with investigators regarding the circumstances surrounding the crash and his girlfriend’s role in it.

Daniel Waterman, 22, was involved in a collision on February 9 on Interstate 95 in Flagler County. He was in a 2019 Honda Passport driven by his girlfriend, Leigha Manby, 24. The vehicle struck a tree, with no other cars involved in the incident.

Manby sustained serious injuries, but Waterman’s injuries were notably severe, including a C6-7 fracture, a cervical spine injury, a clavicle fracture, and a pneumothorax, among other trauma. He fell into a coma but was reportedly able to communicate with police by May 15.

Waterman’s mother mentioned that he struggled to speak, so detectives used a letter board to help him convey his thoughts. During a lengthy interrogation, Waterman claimed the crash was intentional. It stemmed from a heated argument triggered by a text from a female friend and the news of Manby’s pregnancy, according to the affidavit.

Waterman stated that he and Manby exchanged hurtful remarks, leading to what appeared to be reckless driving on her part. His cousin remarked that he had texted a friend about the Super Bowl before the crash, revealing tensions were high that evening.

Just moments before the accident, Manby sent a text from Waterman’s phone threatening retribution for what she perceived as dishonesty. Waterman reportedly expressed uncertainty about the pregnancy and frustration over Manby’s actions.

Shockingly, the last words Waterman recalled were Manby stating, “It doesn’t matter what happens, you’ll get what you deserve.” Following this, the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a tree, leaving him incapacitated.

Investigators indicated evidence suggesting that Manby swerved off the road deliberately. Data from the car’s event recorder showed it was traveling at speeds of 93 to 95 mph just seconds before the impact, without any signs of braking.

Manby was arrested in July on charges of reckless driving resulting in severe injury and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was later released on a $150,000 bond.

Waterman passed away from pneumonia on October 8 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York. Following his death, authorities announced that they had upgraded Manby’s charges to include vehicular homicide.

John Hager, representing Waterman’s family, noted the tragic circumstances surrounding these events and expressed gratitude for the pursuit of justice. He emphasized that the evidence demonstrated Manby’s reckless behavior leading up to the crash.

In a further twist, Waterman’s death has initiated a custody battle over his child, as Manby recently gave birth. Waterman’s mother expressed her desire to secure custody, revealing that her son had been preparing for fatherhood in earnest.

Waterman’s obituary described him as a hopeful father excited to welcome his daughter, marking his untimely passing as a heartbreaking tragedy. Manby is due back in court on November 19.

The Florida Highway Patrol and the Flagler County Attorney’s Office did not respond immediately to requests for commentary.