SHELBY VALLEY, Ky. — Announcing he will seek immediate action from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding a traffic control device at the sight of a fatal accident Wednesday, Senator Ray S. Jones II, D-Pikeville, said there have been too many lives lost at this particular intersection.

A traffic signal or some other type of traffic device on U.S. 23 near Shelby Valley High School is long overdue, Jones said about the area where Floyd Chaney, 69, of Red Creek, Ky., was killed Aug. 19.

“There have been too many accidents, too many injuries and too many lives lost at this intersection. I am appealing to the Transportation Cabinet to take immediate steps to address the dangers before another life is lost,” said Senator Jones. “We desperately need a traffic light or some other measures to control the flow of traffic. I would like the Transportation Cabinet to do a comprehensive engineering analysis to determine the best course of action to resolve this dangerous situation and to take steps to implement those recommendations immediately.”

There have been numerous accidents, some with fatalities, in this particular area. The intersection is heavily traveled and includes traffic from Shelby Valley High School, housing developments, a medical clinic, a church, a nursing home and a retirement community.

“Being from Shelby Valley, I am very aware of how hazardous the intersection can be with just the school traffic alone,” Jones said. “I have had relatives injured and have represented people who have been injured at that very site. We need to address this treacherous situation before there is another injury, or worse, another fatality.”

Senator Jones has sent a letter to Secretary Prather formerly requesting that the Transportation Cabinet address this situation.

This is not the first time Jones has expressed concerns about this issue with the cabinet, he reported. Previously when he approached the cabinet about this unsafe intersection, a previous engineer felt that a traffic light might make the situation worse. However, signs installed since then to alert drivers to slow their speed as they approach the intersection have not resolved the situation. Senator Jones hopes that a comprehensive engineering analysis might reveal a more effective way to handle the situation.

As previously reported, a Kentucky State Police Post 9 press release said Floyd Chaney, driving with Madonna Chaney as passenger, pulled out onto U.S. 23 into the path of Marigo Werner of Pikeville, Ky. Floyd Chaney, Werner and her infant passenger were transported via ambulance to a local hospital where Chaney later died of his injuries. Madonna Chaney was airlifted to Cabell-Huntington Hosptial and listed in serious condition, KSP reported. The Daily News could not secure an update on her condition at the time this article printed.