For one Florida family, a routine afternoon ride turned into a long recovery and an ongoing legal case.
Police say a high school teacher has now been charged months after a crash that left a teenager injured near a busy intersection in Winter Park. The case has drawn attention locally because it involves both a student and an educator from the same school community.
Authorities say the incident happened in December, but the arrest did not come until March, after investigators reviewed the details of what occurred.
A Crash Near a Busy Road
According to investigators, the collision took place on Dec. 11, 2025, near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436 in Winter Park.
Police say Benjamin Fottler, a teacher at Winter Park High School, was driving in the area when his car allegedly struck a student riding a scooter.
The student, Landon Cates, was 15 years old at the time.
Investigators say the driver continued on after the collision.
Injuries and a Long Recovery
Cates suffered scratches and bruises in the crash, along with a fractured vertebra in his back.
In the days that followed, medical appointments and evaluations became part of his routine as doctors monitored the injury and discussed treatment options.
Back injuries can take months to heal, and the recovery process often limits everyday activities — especially for teenagers used to school, sports and social life.
Driver Reportedly Thought He Hit a Sign
Police say Fottler contacted authorities shortly after the incident. According to reports, he told officers he believed he had struck a traffic sign that damaged his vehicle’s side mirror.
Investigators say he continued driving and dropped off his child at daycare before later learning that an ambulance had been called to the area.
Authorities continued reviewing the circumstances of the crash in the months that followed.
On March 10, 2026, Fottler, 49, was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run in connection with the incident.
Court records show he was booked into jail and later released on a $20,000 bond.
The case remains under investigation.
Orange County Public Schools said Fottler has not been placed on leave from his teaching job.
District officials stated that the crash occurred while he was not performing work duties.
Situations like this can place school districts in complicated positions, as legal cases unfold separately from employment policies.
Crashes involving pedestrians and scooters have become an increasing concern in many communities.
Teenagers often rely on scooters or bikes for short trips around their neighborhoods, particularly near schools and residential areas.
When accidents happen, they can ripple through a community — raising questions about road safety, driver awareness and the vulnerability of young people navigating busy streets.
For the family involved, the focus remains on recovery and healing after a moment that changed an ordinary day.
