LAPLACE — A teenager driving his father’s vehicle struck the back of a school bus containing nearly 30 students Friday afternoon in LaPlace, sending 14 children to the hospital, police said.

The 17-year-old driver, whose name is not being released by authorities, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado truck eastbound on St. Andrews Boulevard at approximately 2:30 p.m. when the wreck occurred.

The Silverado driver was cited for following too close, police said, adding the 14 students taken to the hospital were treated for minor injuries and released.

The Silverado driver was uninjured.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the school bus was rear-ended while preparing to stop so East St. John High School students could exit the bus.

Twenty-eight students were reported on the bus.

Following the wreck Friday, St. John Parish Public Schools Superintendent Kevin George said he was relieved to report none of the injuries were “catastrophic,” adding the school bus was struck “pretty good.”

George said the bus driver acted quickly and correctly, alerting authorities immediately and next calling the Main Office to alert the transportation supervisor. According to George, School District officials were on the scene within ten minutes, assisting students and parents seeking to get home safely.