‘Inhumane’: Sister of woman picked up by garbage truck speaks out

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A family is left with a lot of questions after they say a woman was picked up by a metro garbage truck on Saturday, later dying at the hospital from her injuries.

That woman’s name was Tyrah Adams, and she was 35 years old.

Tyrah Adams’ sister, Sandra Akers, told WAVE her family is left mourning and also searching for answers after Adams’ death. But, they want Adams to be remembered for more than just being homeless, and for all of the reasons her family loved her.

To Akers, Adams was a protective big sister, someone who did not want her family to see her struggle.

That’s why she said the family didn’t know she was homeless until a few months ago.

“She was loved by family, she was not forgotten,” said Akers. “Family had been in contact; it’s not like we was not there.”

Akers said family and friends constantly checked on Adams and made sure she had everything she needed.

While they sometimes worried about her, they never could have imagined what happened this past weekend.

The family’s attorney, Stephanie Rivas, said Adams was picked up by a garbage truck in the area of 26th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard and then dropped near a convenience store in the same area.

“She got up herself and walked to the convenience store, while others saw the city employees still just standing there,” said Rivas. “She walks into the store, we have witnesses that have said she had blood coming from her nose and mouth. She could not speak, she was disoriented, and someone inside the store is the one who actually called 911.”

“That’s very difficult to hear, that they were just standing there, that they didn’t actually just follow her or try... or try at all,” said Akers. “It’s sort of inhumane.”

Both Rivas and Akers believe the workers didn’t take enough safety steps to prevent this.

They say workers should have checked the area thoroughly before operating the truck.

“You have to physically get out of the truck. So, if they got out of the truck to operate the grapple loader, why didn’t they do a look around before you start grabbing?” said Rivas.

In his weekly press conference Tuesday, Mayor Craig Greenberg called the incident a “tragic accident.”

Metro Public Works sent an updated statement today:

“Louisville Metro Solid Waste team members were conducting a routine alley cleanup when the incident occurred. This cleanup was not a response to complaints about a homeless encampment. The alley is a known site for illegal dumping and was filled with trash concealing Ms. Adams. Crews were using a dump truck and a piece of equipment known as a knuckle boom to clear the debris.”

“As someone who has worked in heavy equipment myself...safety is the number one rule for everybody around you and yourself, and investigating that area beforehand, before operating, that’s a must,” said Akers.

Rivas’ law firm and the city are both conducting investigations into the incident.

Rivas and Adams’ family said they still have a lot of questions.

But, while they wait for more information, Akers is reflecting on her favorite memories with her older sister. One of her favorites: when the two went kayaking a few years ago.

“We got in the lake, and it started raining, it was pouring rain the whole time, but we had so much fun,” said Akers. “We put the kayaks back on top of the jeep, and we thought we strapped them down all the way. We were going down the road, and the kayaks fell off the jeep. We were laughing so hard, laughing so hard. It was just the moment, you know.”

Akers added her sister was always a fun person to be around.

“She was fun, she was cool, she was, her spirit was just freely lived,” said Akers. “If you wasn’t laughing around her, she would make sure you were laughing for sure.”

The workers operating the truck the day of the incident have been placed on administrative leave.

Rivas is encouraging anyone who has information that could be helpful to the investigation to call her office at 502-742-0050.

Callers can stay anonymous if they want.