CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's been a year since Butler High student Brian Garlock was killed while driving along Highway 51.

Now, his family and friends have waged an awareness campaign that they hope will make people of all ages think twice before talking on the cell phone while behind the wheel.

NewsChannel 36 spoke exclusively with Garlock's family on the eve of the anniversary of the deadly wreck.

Seventeen-year-old Brian Garlock was the kind of kid every parent would be proud to say was their own.

"He was happy, fearless. He loved life," said his mother Tammy Garlock.

The only son -- a middle child -- Garlock's future was full of opportunity.

"We were best friends," his father John explained.

"He never did anything half way," added his older sister Beth. "He always had to do it big."

Then came June 12, 2008. That's when a single cell phone call changed everything.

The Butler High rising senior was killed as he attempted to turn left onto Highway 51 in Pineville while dialing his girlfriend. Distracted, Brian Garlock failed to see oncoming traffic.

"One bad decision and he's not here anymore. It's a father's nightmare," John Garlock said as he fought back tears. "People need to think about that when they are doing just the simplest of tasks."

"It's almost like you make a deal with yourself -- I'm just going to get through. I'm going to take one more deep breath," Tammy Garlock said.

Now a year later, his family is sharing their painful story asking people to pledge -- if only on the anniversary of his death -- to turn off their cell phones when they're behind the wheel.

"Brian made a simple choice that hundreds if not thousands of people make every single day, but he paid the ultimate price for that decision," added his mom. "If love could bring him back he would be sitting here with us right now, but it doesn't work that way."

It's against the law for those under age 18 to use a handheld cell phone while driving in North Carolina. Beginning in December, text messaging from behind the wheel will be banned for everyone.

The Garlocks believe it should be banned while driving altogether. Six states and the District of Columbia have already done so.