Former MATA manager charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in private vehicle; convicted of drunk driving in 2015

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The former head of security for the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) was arrested last month in DeSoto County for allegedly operating a personal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

This was one of many issues the Memphis City Council examined in committee meeting with MATA representatives on Tuesday.

Records show that Hernando police charged 44-year-old Edwina Hankins on Aug. 4 with drunken driving, failure to yield right of way, reckless driving and driving on the wrong side of the road.

She was released on $1,250 bail.

In Shelby County, court records show that Hankins has committed similar traffic violations before. She was sentenced to nearly a year in prison for drunk driving in 2015.

The conviction came after Memphis police allegedly observed her driving erratically in the Raleigh area on August 14, 2014.

The arrest affidavit states that Hankins told police officers who stopped her that she had been drinking on Beale Street. A clear plastic cup containing alcohol was allegedly found in the car's cup holder.

Police say they had to help Hankins out of her car.

According to Tuesday's city council discussion, Hankins turned on the lights on her personal car when she was stopped in Hernando last month.

MATA would not confirm when Hankins was fired from her position, only telling Action News 5 in a statement:

Edwina is no longer an employee and I cannot comment on personnel matters.

According to MATA's website, the position of Chief Safety Officer is a leadership position.

Aside from Hankins, only the CEO and CFO have equity investors, according to committee discussions on Tuesday.

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