2 highway workers killed on I-75 in Anderson Co.

2 highway workers killed on I-75 in Anderson Co.

CLINTON (WATE) -- Two teenage highway construction workers were killed on I-75 south near Clinton Monday morning when a pickup truck hit them, according to TDOT officials. 

The wreck happened at 10:40 a.m. and blocked all southbound lanes for about five hours. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating what caused it.

The teens who were killed were employees of Lu, Inc. of Kingston Springs, Tennessee. They were doing work on a cable barrier rail that separates the north and southbound lanes.

They were identified as Cheyenne Dakota Burke, 18, of Bulls Gap, and Jeffrey B. Thompson II, 19, of Rogersville.

The Ford F-350 pickup truck was being driven southbound by James R. Hatfield, who works for TNT Trucking in Scott County.

Hatfield was hauling a big roll of aluminum to Georgia at the time of the wreck. He had minor injuries. Investigators took blood samples from him to run toxicology tests.

The cable barrier rail stopped the truck from crossing over into the northbound lanes.

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely released this statement on the workers' deaths:

"I speak for everyone here at the Tennessee Department of Transportation when I say our deepest sympathies are with the families, co-workers and friends of the two highway workers from Lu, Inc. who were struck and killed today along I-75 in Anderson County.

Highway construction workers put their lives at risk every day to build and maintain our transportation system. 

Unfortunately, incidents like this are all too common.  The death of these two men should serve as a reminder to all motorists of the importance of using the utmost caution when workers are present along the roadway." 

TNT Trucking didn't comment on the crash.

6 News Reporter Hana Kim contributed to this report.