A homeless woman in Kentucky was allegedly killed during a garbage cleanup operation in a Louisville alley, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her family.
The victim, identified as 35-year-old Tyrah Adams, was reportedly lying inside a cardboard box near a trash pile when a garbage truck’s hydraulic trash claw picked her up during cleanup work.
Family Accuses City Workers of Negligence
The lawsuit claims sanitation workers operating the truck failed to follow proper safety procedures while using the hydraulic claw, also known as a knuckle boom.
According to the complaint, Adams was picked up, compressed by the machinery, and then dropped back into the alley. Her family says the workers left the area without helping her after the incident.
Attorney Stephanie Rivas, representing Adams’ family, said the workers “physically picked her up with that claw, squeezed her, compressed her, and dropped her.” The family argues that the city and sanitation workers acted with gross negligence and reckless conduct.
Adams Reportedly Sought Help After the Incident
According to the lawsuit, Adams was still alive after suffering catastrophic injuries. She allegedly managed to reach a nearby convenience store called J&M Food Mart while screaming for help. A store clerk called emergency services after noticing her severe condition.
The complaint describes Adams as suffering from major internal injuries and severe trauma. A coroner later determined that she died from blunt force and compressional injuries caused during the incident.
Lawsuit Says City Failed to Follow Safety Procedures
The legal complaint argues that Louisville Metro workers failed to properly inspect the cleanup area before operating heavy machinery. The lawsuit also claims the city did not maintain a proper lookout or use safe spotting procedures in areas where homeless individuals were known to stay.
According to the complaint, city officials “knew or should have known” that vulnerable people often occupied alleys and trash cleanup locations targeted during sanitation operations.
Louisville Mayor Responded After Incident
After the incident, Craig Greenberg reportedly stated that sanitation crews were cleaning the alley when the truck accidentally picked up Adams because workers did not see her.
A spokesperson for the mayor later offered condolences to Adams’ family but declined to comment further on the lawsuit.
