If you’ve spent any time watching daytime television over the past five decades, you know Colleen Zenk. The actress built a devoted following playing Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns for 32 years — a role she originated in 1978 and held until the show wrapped in 2010. She’s a genuine soap institution, the kind of performer fans feel like they actually know.
More recently, Zenk returned to daytime in 2023 with a recurring role on The Young and the Restless, playing the wonderfully villainous Jordan Howard. Her character eventually met her end drinking poisoned tea — which is frankly a more dramatic exit than most of us will get. She left the show in January 2025.
Now, unfortunately, Zenk is back in the news for reasons that have nothing to do with her acting career. On May 15, the actress was arrested in Naples, Florida and charged with DUI resulting in damage to property or person of another, and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher — well above the legal limit of 0.08. Both charges are misdemeanors, each carrying a $1,000 bond.
This marks Zenk’s third DUI arrest since April 1, 2010 — the third time this particular situation has played out. At some point, the pattern becomes the story.
What Happened in the Parking Lot
According to an arrest report, an officer from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Strada at Mercato shopping center in North Naples on the evening of May 15 following a vehicle collision call. The location, for reference, is an upscale outdoor complex — the kind of place with a Tommy Bahama store and a wine bar, which brings us neatly to the next part.
A witness stated they observed Zenk backing out of a handicap parking space when her vehicle struck another car parked next to it. The witness further claimed that Zenk continued backing out after the collision and began to leave the scene, but was stopped a short distance down the road.
She reportedly appeared unsteady after getting out of the car. She allegedly told officers she had “two wine cups” at Bar Tulia prior to the incident. Two wine cups. The specificity of “cups” instead of “glasses” is doing a lot of work there.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Once the DUI investigation was underway, things didn’t improve. Two breath samples were collected — one returning at 0.206 BAC and the other at 0.192 BAC. For context, the legal limit in Florida is 0.08. Zenk’s readings were more than double that.
During field sobriety exercises, the arresting officer observed Zenk having difficulty balancing while exiting her vehicle, and during the walk-and-turn test, she took more steps than instructed and never completed the heel-to-toe method she had been shown. The one-leg stand didn’t go much better.
Where Things Stand Now
Bond was posted the following day, and Zenk attended a court hearing on June 10, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 29.
Her representative issued a statement saying the charges are being defended and that Zenk has not been convicted of anything, with the truth to be determined in court. That’s fair — a not-guilty plea is her right, and the legal process exists for a reason.
Still, this is the third time. Her first DUI arrest came in Wilton, Connecticut in 2010, and her second was also in Collier County, Florida in 2017. Naples is apparently not the lucky charm it might appear to be.
Zenk’s talent as an actress is not in question — her career speaks for itself. But a BAC of 0.206, a fender bender in a parking lot, and a third arrest don’t leave much room for ambiguity about what happened that evening. Here’s hoping the July hearing brings some clarity — and maybe a less eventful second half of 2026.