LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB/WAVE) — The Metro Public Works employees involved in the death of a Louisville woman who was crushed by a garbage truck earlier this year will not face criminal charges.
That's according to the Jefferson County Attorney's Office, who determined there was not enough evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Tyrah Adams was killed Feb. 12 after she was picked up and crushed by the claw of a Metro Public Works garbage truck while sleeping in an alley.
According to a filed police report, video from a nearby business shows the hydraulic arm and claw of a garbage truck picking up a large pile of trash. After picking it up, the arm appears to put the pile back on the ground.
Records show the employees did not get out of the truck to inspect the pile before using the claw. Solid Waste Manager James Peasant told investigators checking the piles they clean up was not required by policy.
The operator of the arm then stepped off the truck and walked toward the pile, returned to the driver's seat then pulled the truck forward, the report continued.
One worker noticed movement after the pile was lifted and realized a person had been caught. According to the investigative report, the workers called out to Adams to see if she was okay but did not call 911 or approach her.
Audio from cameras on the truck recorded a person screaming and one of the workers commenting he had "almost picked up a homeless mother f-er in the pile," followed by "nervous laughter."
"That's very difficult to hear, that they were just standing there," Adams' sister said. "That they didn't actually just follow her or try...or try at all. It's sort of inhumane."
Adams was homeless, and those who knew her said she would often sleep in a large cardboard box near an area surrounded by trash. Witnesses said after Adams was dropped somewhere around the alley, she walked to the nearby J&M Food Mart in bad condition.
The store clerk called 911 after Adams ran in screaming for help. Another person in the store also called 911, telling EMS to hurry "because the woman laying on the floor was 'turning colors no white woman should be.'"
Adams later died from her injuries. The Jefferson County Coroner’s report confirmed Adams cause of death was extensive crushing injuries caused by the truck's claw. The report also noted cocaine and fentanyl were in her system, but ruled the cause of death was compressional trauma, including broken bones and internal injuries.
Police were not initially told a city garbage truck had been involved. Investigators later connected the truck to Adams' injuries after reviewing surveillance video and speaking with hospital staff.
A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Attorney's Office said prosecutors "as ministers of justice must not file charges or proceed with a case if they believe they cannot prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Adams' family disagrees with that decision, and is deeply disappointed.
"We do not agree that this decision ends the question of responsibility," said attorney Stephanie Rivas in a statement. "Tyrah's life mattered, and this family is not going away. Her family will continue fighting for the truth, accountability and justice she deserves."
A spokesperson for Metro Public Works says one of the involved employees is no longer with Metro Government. The other two are still on unpaid leave.
The internal investigation is ongoing. A civil lawsuit filed by Adams’ family is, as well.
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