Placing flowers on her son's grave, Debbie Thompson described the past two years as "a living hell" for her.
"It's something you never expect to have to bury your own children before you pass," Thompson said. "It's been difficult for our family."
Two years ago on Wednesday, a truck hit and killed her son Jeffrey,19, and Cheyenne Burke,18 while the men were tightening cables on a guardrail near the Norris/ Clinton exit on I-75 South when the truck crossed into the median.
She and her daughter, Lauren, spent the anniversary of Jeffrey's death looking at pictures and remembering the good times. However, they can't help but think of how he died. Lauren got the phone call first.
"It's something you'll never get out of your mind," said Lauren Thompson.
Jeffrey's father, who worked with him saw the crash happen.
"My husband said it was like within an instant, within a blink of an eye they were gone and he saw everything unfold," Debbie said.
Debbie has made it a priority to speak on behalf of her son about the dangers of road side work. She works with TDOT to spread the message.
"It should be an everyday thing in someone's mind when they see a work zone to slow down, be cautious, and be courteous to those who are working on the side of the road," she said.
She also helped to implement a driver's education work zone safety course at Jeffrey's high school in Hawkins County.
TDOT said it's important to pay attention in work zones not just for the worker's safety but for your own. Many work zone crashes also affect drivers.
In work zones, TDOT advises that you should slow down, put your cell phone away, and give the road your undivided attention.