A Florida high school educator is facing a felony hit-and-run charge following a three-month investigation into a December collision that left a 15-year-old student with a broken back.
Benjamin Fottler, 49, a teacher at Winter Park High School, was arrested on March 10 and booked into custody on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. Court records indicate Fottler has since been released on a $20,000 bond.
The Incident and Initial Response
The collision occurred on the morning of Dec. 11, 2025, near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436. According to investigators, Fottler’s vehicle allegedly struck Landon Cates, a student who was traveling on a scooter.
Following the impact, Fottler reportedly continued his commute to drop his child off at a daycare facility. In recorded audio obtained by local investigators, Fottler later contacted police, claiming he was unaware he had struck a person.
“I hit, I thought, a sign in the median that damaged my rearview passenger mirror,” Fottler stated in the recording. He further claimed he only realized the severity of the situation after his wife, traveling the same route 20 minutes later, reported seeing an ambulance and a victim at the scene.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Casselton-Drive-State-Road-436-031426-e30cb5ea620b40f688c04c00917047d3.jpg)
Contradicting Accounts
The investigative narrative challenges Fottler’s claim of a perceived “minor” collision. A bystander who rushed to Cates’ aid immediately after the crash described a more deliberate escape.
“She was like, ‘Oh my God, the dude that hit you just sped off like pedal to the metal’ right when he hit me,” Cates told local reporters.
Cates, who initially believed his injuries were minor due to an adrenaline surge, was later diagnosed with scratches, severe bruising, and a fractured vertebrae. The injury has halted the teenager’s plans to attend trade school and has limited his physical mobility, according to family statements.
Professional and Legal Consequences
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) confirmed that while the incident is the subject of an active law enforcement investigation, Fottler remains employed by the district.
“This is the subject of an ongoing law enforcement investigation for an incident unrelated to the school,” a district spokesperson stated.
As Cates faces a recovery process involving potential surgery and extensive physical therapy, his family has turned to crowdfunding to manage mounting medical expenses. For his part, the 15-year-old is urging the community to remain vigilant against driver negligence.
“Keep your eyes out for reckless drivers for sure,” Cates said. “There are so many accidents, drunk driving, negligence, so much.”
The investigation remains open as prosecutors review the evidence presented by the Florida Highway Patrol and local authorities.
