Judge halts trial of woman accused of crashing car to kill boyfriend

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 23:20 · Archive

The trial of a Florida woman accused of deliberately crashing her car to kill her boyfriend was halted after she broke down in tears during the prosecutor's opening statement.

Leigha Mumby, 25, is on trial in Florida for the death of her boyfriend Daniel Waterman, 22, who died eight months after a car crash in February 2025. Prosecutors allege she deliberately drove at over 100mph on Interstate 95 near Bunnell before making an 'abrupt, left-hand turn at 45 degrees' that sent the vehicle into the woods. Waterman suffered a broken neck that left him paralysed from the neck down. He fell into a coma and later died on 8 October 2025.

Mumby pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Her defence argues the crash was a freak accident caused by something unexpected inside the vehicle. Prosecutors allege she was angry over another woman's text messages before the crash. Fox News reports that Waterman told investigators from his hospital bed that Mumby had deliberately swerved off the road following an argument over another woman's messages, but a judge ruled these statements inadmissible, preventing the prosecution from presenting his account at trial.

The trial was abruptly halted on Tuesday when Mumby broke down and wept uncontrollably as prosecutors began their opening statement. The judge ordered the jury to leave the room so she could compose herself. Mumby told the court she was 'fine' and promised to remain calm before proceedings continued.

How it is being reported

• Woman accused of deadly revenge crash faces jury as boyfriend’s hospital account stays out of trialLeigha Mumby's trial opened with prosecutors alleging she turned sharply into woods at nearly 100 mph after a fight over another girl's texts.Fox News · 13 Oct, 22:52
• Judge halts trial for woman accused of purposely causing car crash to kill her boyfriend as she's chastised for crying too much in front of juryLeigha Mumby, 25, dramatically burst into tears on Tuesday as prosecutors began their opening statement, accusing her of killing her boyfriend Daniel Waterman in a 2025 crash.Daily Mail · 13 Oct, 21:27

In this story: Leigha Mumby · Daniel Waterman · Interstate 95 · Bunnell · Florida · Flagler County

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