ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida high school teacher has been arrested after authorities say he struck a teenage student with his vehicle and left the scene, leaving the victim seriously injured.
According to investigators, Benjamin Fottler, 49, a teacher at Winter Park High School, is facing a felony hit-and-run charge following the incident.
Police say the crash occurred on Dec. 11, 2025, when 16-year-old Landon Cates was riding a scooter near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436.
Crash Left Teen with Serious Injuries
Authorities say Cates, who was 15 years old at the time of the incident, suffered multiple injuries in the crash.
Investigators reported that the teen sustained scratches, bruises, and a fractured vertebra in his back.
“Originally, I didn’t know my back was broken,” Cates said. “I thought I was fine. That was the adrenaline talking.”
The teen later realized the severity of his injuries once the initial shock wore off.
“Right after it went away, I did not feel good. It hurt and it sucked bad,” he said.
Teacher Arrested Months After Crash
More than three months after the incident, authorities arrested Fottler on March 10.
Court records show he was booked on a felony hit-and-run charge and later released after posting a $20,000 bond.
Officials say the investigation continued for months before the arrest was made.
Teacher Claimed He Thought He Hit a Sign
Investigators say Fottler contacted police shortly after the crash.
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According to reports, he told authorities he believed he had hit a traffic sign in the roadway rather than a person.
“I hit, I thought, a sign in the median that damaged my mirror,” Fottler allegedly said in audio obtained by local media.
He reportedly told officers that he later learned about the crash after his wife passed the scene and noticed an ambulance responding to someone who had been struck.
Witness Says Driver Sped Away
Cates said a witness who saw the crash immediately came to help him after the incident.
According to the teenager, the witness told him the driver sped away quickly after hitting him.
“She said the guy that hit you just sped off like pedal to the metal,” Cates recalled.
The injuries have significantly affected the teen’s daily life and future plans.
Teen Says Injury Changed His Plans
Cates explained that his broken back has limited what he can physically do.
“I can’t run. I can’t bend or twist or do a lot of things,” he said.
He also said the injury disrupted plans that would have allowed him to split his time between traditional high school classes and a trade program.
Family Facing Medical Challenges
The teen’s mother shared updates about his recovery through a GoFundMe campaign created to help with expenses.
She said the family has spent months attending doctor visits, consultations, and discussions about potential surgery.
School District Responds
Officials with Orange County Public Schools said Fottler has not been placed on leave because the crash did not occur while he was performing his duties as a teacher.
Authorities say the case remains under review as the legal process moves forward.
Meanwhile, Cates is using his experience to warn others about the dangers of reckless driving.
“Keep your eyes out for reckless drivers,” he said. “There are so many accidents, drunk driving, negligence.”
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