As the World Turns alum Colleen Zenk is facing DUI charges after an arrest in Florida.
Multiple outlets confirmed that Zenk, 73, was arrested in May after a two-vehicle crash. The soap star was charged with two misdemeanors: DUI causing damage to property or another person and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.
“The charges are being defended. Ms. Zenk has not been convicted of anything,” a rep for Zenk said in a statement to People. “The truth will be played out in court.”
According to the arrest report, which was obtained by Soap Opera Network, a witness told the authorities that they saw Zenk backing out of a handicap parking space when her vehicle struck a parked car.
Zenk allegedly continued driving before she was stopped. After exiting her car, Zenk showed signs of unsteadiness. The responding sergeant wrote in his report that he detected the odor of alcohol.
While speaking with the authorities at the scene, Zenk said she consumed “two wine cups.” She agreed to perform field sobriety exercises before showing various signs of impairment, including issues with balance and difficulty following instructions.
Deputies placed Zenk under arrest after the field sobriety exercises. Zenk ultimately provided two breath samples measuring 0.206 and 0.192 BAC.
Zenk posted bond after her arrest and entered a not guilty plea. Her next scheduled court appearance is a hearing on July 29.
The actress, who is best known for her role as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, was previously charged with a first-offense DUI in 2017. She was also arrested in 2010 after the authorities observed her allegedly driving erratically and crossed into an oncoming lane, which resulted in DUI-related charges and an improper lane usage charge.
Zenk appeared on As the World Turns for more than three decades from 1978 until the series ended in 2010. She marked her return to daytime TV in 2023 with a role on The Young and the Restless.
Zenk’s character, Jordan, didn’t last long, however, and was ultimately killed off in 2025.
“I’m sad Jordan went away so quickly,” Zenk told TV Insider at the time. “I thought that Ian [Ray Wise] and Jordan would go out like Bonnie and Clyde together.”
Zenk expressed gratitude for the ability to book her first soap role in more than 13 years after As the World Turns.
“I can still do this,” she said. “And for my age with no work, I look pretty good on camera, not too bad. For a 72-year-old woman to be given this kind of opportunity, I’d jump in again.”
