The family of a Kentucky woman who died after being crushed by a garbage truck claw has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against city officials and sanitation workers.
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Tyrah Adams, 35, reportedly became trapped by a hydraulic grappler claw shortly after 9 a.m. in February. The incident occurred while sanitation crews cleared an alley in Louisville.
Adams later died from the devastating injuries she suffered in the incident.
Woman Dies After Garbage Truck Claw Incident in Louisville
On Wednesday, May 20, Adams' family filed a lawsuit against the Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Metro Public Works. As well as several city employees connected to the incident.
According to reports, attorney Stephanie Rivas described Adams' death in the complaint as "horrific and preventable."
Officials previously stated that Adams was unintentionally lifted alongside debris. This was while sanitation workers operated the truck's grappler claw in the alleyway.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg explained that Adams had moved away from the pile of trash before collapsing nearby.
Emergency responders initially believed they were responding to a separate medical emergency after Adams sought help at a nearby location.
Authorities later connected her condition to the injuries she sustained during the sanitation incident.
Family Says Adams Deserved a Another Chance
Adams' sister, Sandra Akers, revealed that her sister had been unhoused and struggling with substance abuse at the time of her death.
"She was only 35," Akers told Louisville Public Media. "This happening has taken that chance from her to be able to rebuild her life."
"I definitely think there is wrong in what has happened, you know, wrong is wrong," she added. "I want some answers and I want the city to be more aware of what they're doing and who they're around."
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office later confirmed that Adams died from "blunt force and compressional trauma."
According to WAVE, video footage reportedly captured the aftermath of the incident.
The footage is said to have shown the truck operator stepping away from the vehicle to inspect the debris before returning to the controls.
The lawsuit alleges that the city and its employees acted with "gross negligence and reckless conduct in the operation of the grapple loader/Knuckle Boom."
The filing also claims employees "knew or should have known" that unhoused people frequently occupied the alley where the incident occurred.
