According to Mississippi Highway Patrol Cpl. Benjamin Seibert, at 7:14 a.m. on Tuesday a Dodge Dakota driven by Arielle Whittaker, 25, of Picayune rear-ended Pearl River County school bus 103 driven by Alvin Nelson, 72, of Picayune. The incident occurred on Mississippi Highway 43 south just north of Salem Road and the school bus was northbound stopped when it was hit, Seibert said.

Seibert also noted that no citations have been given and the incident is currently under investigation.

The bus was picking up a student when it was hit, Assistant Superintendent Missy Holston reported. It was carrying 23 students ranging from middle school to high school age—nobody on the bus was injured beyond minor bumps and bruises. Whittaker was transported to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg with moderate injuries, Seibert said.

Bus 103 sustained minor damage to the rear of the vehicle and the Dodge Dakota was towed and severely damaged, according to Holston.

One parent took her two children to the hospital as a precaution and all the other middle school and high school students were moved to another bus and taken to school, Holston said.

Holston also said the students at the school appeared to be okay, but were a little shaken up.

“We’re just thankful that there were no serious injuries with our students or the drivers. My thoughts and prayers are with the driver of the Dodge,” Holston said.