CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A Winter Park High School teacher has been arrested months after a hit-and-run was reported in Casselberry, according to the police department.
In an affidavit, police said that the incident was first reported on Dec. 11 along Parkside Court, where the victim’s mother claimed his back had been broken after being struck.
But later that day, the teacher — identified as Benjamin Hendricks Fottler, 49 — called in, as well, police added.
[BELOW: Grandmother seeks justice after teen struck, killed in Orlando]
“(Fottler) reported he may have struck a pole earlier that morning but was uncertain,” the affidavit reads. “Officer Munn believed the incident could be related to this case.”
Investigators said they met with Fottler, who claimed he was headed to work early on Dec. 12, but when making a left turn at the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436, he struck what he thought was a traffic sign in the center median.
“He reported that the impact caused damage to the passenger-side mirror of his vehicle,” the affidavit continues. “Fottler further stated that his child was seated in the back seat at the time of the incident and that he did not stop to verify what he struck.”
[BELOW: DUI arrest after driver ran from Seminole County crash that injured motorcyclist]
Afterward, Fottler told police, he dropped his daughter off at daycare.
While Fottler was initially cited in error, he was eventually arrested on Tuesday on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid, court records reveal. He has since been released on bond.
A spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools confirmed that Fottler is a teacher at Winter Park High School, though the incident is unrelated to the school.
Meanwhile, News 6 identified the victim as 16-year-old Landon Cates.
He told News 6 that the crash left him with a broken back and lingering pain that has made everyday activities difficult.
“He did hit me. I assumed he noticed and sped away,” Cates said.
Months later, Cates said he is still dealing with the effects of the crash.
“Ever since then, I’ve been stuck at home,” he said. “It’s been hard to do schoolwork. My back hurts. My arms do this weird thing where they lock in place, and I start shaking really bad.”
“I would think since he has a daughter that he is a caring father,” Cates added. “How would you feel if your daughter got hit out of nowhere? Wouldn’t you be upset?”
Cates’ mother, Callista Cates, said she is concerned about her son returning to school with Fottler still working there.
“I’ve called the school plenty of times and said, ‘Hey, this is what happened to my kid. This is why he’s not there. It was a teacher at the school,’” she said. “And they’re just like, ‘OK, I don’t know what to do with that.’”