LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Jefferson County Attorney has declined to pursue criminal charges against Louisville Metro sanitation workers in the death of 35-year-old Tyrah Adams, who was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic boom arm during a February alley cleanup operation, according to records obtained by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

The Louisville Metro Police Department's Public Integrity Unit closed its investigation on May 11 after a prosecutor determined "there is not a reasonable likelihood of conviction on any criminal charge," according to public records. Jefferson County Attorney spokesperson Josh Abner said prosecutors must adhere to professional standards that prohibit filing charges without sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Adams was found concealed beneath a pile of junk targeted for removal in a Russell neighborhood alleyway on February 12. She was picked up by the truck's hydraulic claw and died later at a hospital from blunt force and compressional trauma.

Louisville Metro Public Works spokesman Kristen Shanahan said the city's internal investigation remains ongoing. One employee involved in the incident is no longer with the city, while two others remain on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation.

Despite the decision not to pursue criminal charges, Adams' family proceeded with a wrongful death lawsuit in May, alleging "gross negligence" and "reckless conduct" by the city and workers involved. Stephanie Rivas, representing the family, has emphasized the critical delays in emergency response.

Police investigation records show the workers did not call 911 immediately after the incident. Instead, a convenience store clerk called emergency services after Adams stumbled into the store and collapsed. Emergency responders took approximately 18 minutes to arrive. The workers initially believed Adams was not seriously injured and later told investigators they followed protocol by contacting their supervisor rather than calling for emergency services.

"All they had to do was call 911 and then walk to that store and tell people what happened," Rivas said. "No one knew how to treat her because no one knew what had happened to her, and the people who did stayed silent."