When a moment of poor judgment behind the wheel becomes a matter of public record, the consequences ripple far beyond a simple traffic stop. That’s the situation soap opera veteran Colleen Zenk now faces after her arrest in Naples, Florida on May 15.
Police say Zenk crashed into a parked car in front of a Tommy Bahama store—and then attempted to leave the scene before being stopped just a few feet down the road. A witness reported seeing her stumbling as she exited her vehicle, which set off immediate red flags for law enforcement on the scene. What unfolded next was a series of field sobriety tests that painted a troubling picture: difficulty balancing while walking to the sidewalk, involuntary eye movements, and ultimately, failure on both the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand exercises. According to the police report, she swayed so significantly during these tests that officers worried she’d collapse.
The numbers told an even starker story. Zenk admitted to drinking two cups of wine at Bar Tulia and willingly submitted to a breathalyzer. She blew a 0.206 BAC, followed by a second reading of 0.192 BAC—both well over Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. She was booked on two DUI charges.
Known for her iconic role as Barbara Ryan on“As the World Turns,”which she played from 1978 to 2010, Zenk has recently secured a recurring part on“The Young and the Restless”as Jordan Howard. The arrest marks a significant detour in what has been a decades-long career in daytime television. For fans who’ve watched her work over the years, this moment serves as an unwelcome reminder that public figures aren’t exempt from the consequences of dangerous decisions—and that impaired driving puts lives at risk every single time someone gets behind the wheel.
The case is still developing, and the legal process will unfold in the months ahead.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
