Waterman tried to escape

In May 2025, Waterman recounted what led to the crash. He claimed Mumby drove the vehicle into a tree after an argument that began when she told him she was pregnant and he got a text from a woman in New York. Waterman alleged that Mumby began driving erratically. He attempted to escape the car, but couldn’t get out before it crashed.

Heather Waterman, Waterman’s mother, later told syracuse.com that the text message at the center of the argument was nothing but a friendly exchange between football fans.

While still recovering from his coma, Waterman eventually communicated with investigators in May using a whiteboard, his mother said. His written statements led to Mumby’s initial arrest.

Mumby allegedly told authorities she did not remember what caused the collision. Court records show she was first charged in July with reckless driving, causing serious bodily injury, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Following Waterman’s death, authorities upgraded the charges to vehicular homicide, People reports.

Waterman’s family is now focused on gaining custody of the baby they believe is his. “We’ll do whatever we can do to bring her to us,” Heather Waterman told syracuse.com. “He wanted her raised in New York with his family.”