Florida Teacher Arrested After Hitting Student with Car and Driving Away

A Florida high school teacher is facing serious charges after authorities say he struck a teenage student with his car and then left the scene.

Benjamin Fottler, 49, a teacher at Winter Park High School, was arrested on March 10 and charged with felony hit-and-run in connection with a crash that injured a student late last year.

According to reports from local outlets, the incident happened on December 11, 2025, near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436 in Winter Park, Florida.

Police say 15-year-old Landon Cates was riding his scooter when Fottler’s vehicle allegedly hit him.

Cates suffered several injuries in the crash, including bruises, scratches, and a fractured vertebra in his back.

“Originally, I didn’t know my back was broken,” the teen told local reporters. “I thought I was fine. That was the adrenaline talking. Right after it went away, I did not feel good. It hurt and it sucked bad.”

Authorities say Fottler called police shortly after the crash but told them he believed he had only struck a sign in the median.

“I hit, I thought, a sign in the median that damaged my driver-side mirror,” Fottler allegedly said in audio obtained by local media.

He reportedly continued driving and dropped his child off at daycare before realizing something more serious may have happened.

According to investigators, Fottler later mentioned that his wife had driven through the same area shortly afterward and saw an ambulance at the scene.

Meanwhile, witnesses say the driver did not stop after the crash.

Cates recalled that a bystander rushed to help him immediately after the incident.

“She was like, ‘Oh my God, the dude that hit you just sped off like pedal to the metal right when he hit you,’” the teen said.

The injuries have had a major impact on Cates’ daily life. He says he can no longer run or move normally while recovering from the spinal injury.

“I can’t run. I can’t bend or twist or do a lot of things,” he said.

Cates had been hoping to split his time between regular classes and a trade school program, but his injuries have put those plans on hold.

His mother has since started a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses, explaining that the family has spent months dealing with doctor visits, consultations, and discussions about possible surgery.

Orange County Public Schools confirmed that Fottler is currently not on leave while the case is under investigation because the crash happened while he was off duty.

After being arrested, Fottler was released from jail on a $20,000 bond.

As he continues to recover, Cates is urging others to stay alert on the road.

“Keep your eyes out for reckless drivers for sure,” he said. “There are so many accidents, drunk driving, negligence — so much.”