LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The family of a woman killed by a Metro solid waste truck in February plans to file a lawsuit against Metro Government in the coming weeks, according to their attorney.
Tyrah Adams, 35, died on Feb. 12 while a Metro solid waste crew was clearing an alley on Cedar Street. Adams, who was homeless and known to be in the area, was picked up by the truck’s grappler claw and crushed.
For weeks, the city described the incident as Adams having “come into contact” with the truck. On Wednesday, the Jefferson County Coroner confirmed that she died from blunt force and compressional trauma.
“She didn’t walk into this truck. They physically picked her up with that claw, squeezed her, compressed her, and dropped her. And left her there to find her own help,” said Stephanie Rivas, the family’s attorney.
A police report released last month supported witness accounts stating that the grappler operator got off the crane, looked at the debris pile, and then returned to the truck. Witnesses said Adams later got up, walked to a nearby store, and collapsed in the doorway while bleeding and unable to speak. Police records indicate that neither worker called 911; instead, a store clerk and a customer made the call.
“Knowing that they didn’t help her at all — that’s where most of my anger comes from. Knowing what he had did and what he saw, he didn’t even have the decency to just help,” said Sandra Akers, Adams’ sister.
Rivas said the lawsuit is about more than financial compensation, emphasizing the family’s need for full transparency.
“We’ve been given bits and pieces of information. There’s a lot more to see — the videos that they’ve obtained. We don’t have access to those,” Rivas said.
“It’s just like being punched in the gut every single time something new comes out. But at the same time, it’s a relief that something more is being seen,” Akers said.
Louisville Public Works said it cannot provide additional comment while the investigation remains ongoing. The two employees involved remain on administrative leave.
“Being able to finally feel like her soul is at rest. That’s what I mostly look forward to — for all of our family to be able to breathe,” Akers said.
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