Home / Crime and Justice / Teacher Arrested for Alleged Hit-and-Run on Student
Teacher Arrested for Alleged Hit-and-Run on Student
14 Mar
Summary
- A Florida teacher faces a felony hit-and-run charge after allegedly hitting a student.
- The student suffered serious injuries, including a fractured vertebrae.
- The teacher reportedly fled the scene before calling police.
Benjamin Fottler, a teacher at Winter Park High School in Florida, was arrested on March 10, 2026, more than three months after an alleged hit-and-run incident. On December 11, 2025, Fottler, 49, is accused of striking 15-year-old Landon Cates with his vehicle while Cates was riding a scooter. The collision occurred near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436.
Cates suffered significant injuries, including scratches, bruises, and a fractured vertebrae in his back. He described the immediate aftermath, stating he initially didn't realize the severity of his injury due to adrenaline. A bystander reportedly witnessed Fottler flee the scene at high speed.
Fottler reportedly contacted police shortly after the incident, stating he believed he had struck a traffic sign. He had proceeded to drop his child at daycare before making the report. He was booked on a felony hit-and-run charge and has since been released on a $20,000 bond. Orange County Public Schools confirmed Fottler is not on leave as the incident happened outside of his work duties.
