Teacher’s Alleged Hit-and-Run on Student Scooter Leaves Teen with Fractured Spine – Fled Scene, Claimed ‘Hit a Sign’.
Benjamin Hendricks Fottler, a 49-year-old teacher at Winter Park High School in Florida, faces felony charges after allegedly striking 15-year-old student Landon Cates with his vehicle on December 11, 2025, causing severe injuries including a fractured vertebra, and then fleeing the scene without rendering aid. The incident occurred in Casselberry near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436 as Cates rode his electric scooter to school. Fottler was arrested on March 10, 2026—nearly three months later—and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, a felony under Florida law.
According to the Casselberry Police Department investigation, Fottler’s car collided with Cates, knocking him to the ground in the middle of the roadway. Witnesses described the vehicle accelerating away rapidly after the impact, leaving the injured teen exposed and unattended. Cates suffered a broken back, along with bruises and scratches, requiring immediate medical attention. He was transported to a hospital where doctors confirmed the spinal fracture and placed him in a back brace for recovery. Now 16, Cates has shared in interviews with FOX 35 Orlando the lasting effects: “I can’t run. I can’t bend or twist or do a lot of things.” The injury has forced him to miss substantial school time and abandon plans for a combined academic and trade program.
When interviewed by police, Fottler reportedly stated he believed he had struck a sign in the median while turning onto the highway. He did not stop to check or verify the collision and proceeded directly to Winter Park High School, where he taught classes as usual that day. This account has drawn sharp criticism, with investigators and the public questioning why he failed to investigate further or seek help for the potentially injured party. The delay in charges—despite Fottler’s employment at the same school Cates attended—has fueled community outrage, with parents and advocates demanding immediate termination and stricter protocols for staff involved in off-campus incidents.
The Orange County Public Schools district placed Fottler on administrative leave following his arrest. He was booked into jail and released on a $20,000 bond. The case highlights Florida statutes requiring drivers to stop at accident scenes involving injury, provide reasonable aid, and exchange information. Violations, especially with significant harm to victims, can lead to felony prosecution. Here, the prolonged period before arrest has raised concerns about investigative pacing and potential leniency toward educators, though authorities maintain the delay stemmed from gathering sufficient evidence, including witness statements, traffic cameras, and vehicle data linking Fottler to the crash.
Cates’ family has spoken publicly about the profound impact. They describe their son as an active, independent teen whose daily routine has been upended by chronic pain, restricted mobility, and emotional trauma. A GoFundMe campaign launched to assist with medical expenses and recovery has garnered community support, with donors expressing sympathy and frustration over the alleged negligence. Relatives have emphasized the betrayal felt when learning the driver was a teacher from Landon’s own school, amplifying calls for accountability and reform in how such cases are handled.
Medical professionals explain that vertebral fractures from high-impact collisions can cause long-term issues, including persistent pain, reduced flexibility, and risks of complications like nerve damage or arthritis. Recovery often involves physical therapy, pain management, and gradual rehabilitation, though full restoration to pre-injury levels is not guaranteed. Cates’ ongoing brace use and activity limitations underscore the severity, with experts noting adrenaline can initially mask pain, explaining why he may have seemed stable immediately after before deterioration set in.
The incident has sparked broader discussions on road safety for young e-scooter users, driver responsibility, and institutional responses when employees are implicated in serious offenses. In Florida, hit-and-run cases involving injury carry significant penalties, potentially including prison time and license suspension. Advocates argue the months-long gap before charges allowed Fottler to continue teaching, raising ethical questions about student safety and trust in school staff.
Fottler’s attorney has indicated plans to contest the charges, though specifics remain limited. The case is progressing through the courts, with possible civil litigation from the Cates family for damages covering medical bills, lost opportunities, and suffering. Community leaders have called for enhanced driver education, stricter enforcement of hit-and-run laws, and school policies addressing off-duty conduct that affects students.
This tragedy illustrates the devastating ripple effects of failing to stop after a collision. For Landon Cates and his family, it means months of uncertainty, physical challenges, and emotional strain while awaiting resolution. The case serves as a sobering reminder of shared road responsibility and the need for swift justice when lives are irrevocably altered. As proceedings continue, support networks rally around the teen, hoping for healing and meaningful change to prevent future incidents.