Family seeks answers after woman dies during routine garbage cleanup in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The family of the woman who died while Louisville crews were cleaning up an alley are searching for answers for their loved one.

Sandra Akers is mourning the loss of her sister Tyrah Adams, who died Thursday, Feb. 12 while Louisville Public Works employees were performing a routine alley cleanup near the intersection of Cedar and 26th streets.

"She's the kind of person that would be in the middle of the dance floor, not ashamed of herself," said Akers.

Adams was homeless, and those who knew her said she would often sleep in a large cardboard box near an area surrounded by trash.

"I definitely want the community and everybody to know that she was loved, she had family, she was not completely alone," said Akers.

Akers said her sister also struggled with addiction.

"You cannot make somebody do something, you can only be there and never lose hope and love them through their struggles," said Akers.

The family's attorney, Stephanie Rivas, was told by people who saw the incident, Adams was picked up by the garbage truck and then dropped somewhere around the alley.

They said Adams got up and walked into a nearby convenience store for help, and someone inside the store called 911.

"She had blood coming from her nose and mouth, she was unable to speak and disoriented, then that's obviously when she collapsed and EMS transferred her to UofL," said Akers.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said Tuesday the crew didn't see Adams.

"It appears to be a tragic accident to lose someone in our city in this way," Greenberg said. "The investigation is still ongoing but at this time we have no evidence that there was any wrongdoing associated with this tragic loss of life in our city."

Still, Akers has questions about the incident.

"Why didn't you go over there and look? Wouldn't you? And when you realized what happened, why didn't you follow her into the store? Why didn't you call?" said Akers.

The Louisville Metro Police Public Integrity Unit is leading the investigation due to a city vehicle being involved in the incident. An official medical report or autopsy for Adams hasn't been released yet.

The Public Works employees involved are on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Now, the family continues to push for answers.

"I think that mostly everything is definitely questionable, I just want answers, I want to have justice for her," said Akers.

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