CHURCH POINT, La. (KLFY) -- Whenever you see a sign that's installed to simply make drivers aware that there's an oncoming stop sign you may think it's minor, but St. Landry Parish Councilman Timmy Lejeune said the ones installed at the intersection of Jesse Rishard Road and LA-754 were actually done to save lives.
"We've had several accidents where it's claimed the lives of several people," Lejeune said. "We put this flashing sign up to bring awareness to how important it is to stop at this intersection. It's a very busy intersection, and they travel at a high rate of speed."
With the installation of the new signs, Lejeune hopes to finally see a decrease in the accidents taking place at the intersection as News 10 has already learned at least six fatalities that have occurred in the last two years.
And it's not just Lejeune saying that. News 10 also spoke to some residents that live down Jessie Rishard Road that said this intersection has been an ongoing issue for quite a while, with not only speeders, but also that there have been at least three to four accidents on this intersection in the last month alone, and that's including cars going into the ditch and even some drivers having to be airlifted after a crash.
And even with these signs installed, Lejeune said that he hopes the job is not yet done as the parish is currently working with the state to try to get even more improvements done to this intersection to make it safer.
"We've contacted the state for more lighting at that intersection," Lejeune said. "We've done as much as we can as a parish government to bring awareness and we hope the state comes in and brings us more lighting. Mr. Bellard is working with them."
