Woman crushed to death by garbage truck claw, family's attorney says

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Tyrah Adams, a 35-year-old Kentucky woman, died Feb. 12 after being crushed by a garbage truck’s grappler claw while a waste crew cleared an alley, her family’s attorney said. (Credit: Tyrah Adams Family)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Kentucky woman was fatally crushed by a garbage truck’s grappler claw while sleeping in an alley.

Dig deeper:

According to the family’s attorney, Tyrah Adams, 35, was killed on Feb. 12 when a waste crew clearing an alley picked her up with a garbage truck’s grappler claw and crushed her; she was homeless and known to frequent the area.

WAVE reported that the Jefferson County coroner ruled Adams’ death was caused by blunt force and compressional trauma, and a police report from the Louisville Metro Police released last month backed witness accounts that the grappler operator exited the crane, inspected the pile, and then returned to the truck.

Witness statements said Adams later got up, walked to a nearby store and collapsed in the doorway, bleeding and unable to speak. Police records indicate neither worker called 911; instead, a store clerk and a customer placed the call, according to the news outlet. 

What they're saying:

"The LMPD Public Integrity Unit has not yet completed their investigation as to this incident and specifically, as to whether or not the employees will be charged," Attorney Stephanie Rivas told FOX Television Stations. "We do know there is video surveillance, but we haven't been able to view the videos since the investigation is ongoing."  

"We also know that the employees never called 911 after the incident.  We anticipate filing the lawsuit within the next week or so."

"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, told WAVE. 

The other side:

FOX Television Stations contacted Louisville Public Works for comment.