Soap opera veteran Colleen Zenk is once again making headlines, but this time it has nothing to do with daytime television. The “As the World Turns” alum is facing DUI charges after Florida authorities say she admitted to drinking wine before crashing into a parked vehicle and failing multiple field sobriety tests.
The 73-year-old actress, who most recently appeared on The Young and the Restless, has pleaded not guilty through her attorney. Her legal team maintains that the allegations will be challenged in court, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for later this month.
Colleen Zenk’s third DUI arrest follows admission she drank wine, police say
According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Zenk was arrested in Naples, Florida, on May 15 after deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash near Strada Place. Authorities charged her with DUI, causing damage to property or another person, and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.
A representative for the actress told the outlet, “The charges are being defended. Ms. Zenk has not been convicted of anything. The truth will be played out in court.”
Police allege a witness saw Zenk back out of a handicapped parking space near a Tommy Bahama store before striking a parked car. According to the arrest report cited by TMZ, the witness claimed she attempted to continue driving before stopping a short distance away and appeared unsteady when she exited her vehicle.
During the investigation, Zenk allegedly told deputies she had consumed “two wine cups” at Bar Tulia before getting behind the wheel, according to PEOPLE. Officers also reported smelling alcohol as they spoke with her.
Per TMZ, officers said Zenk struggled through several field sobriety exercises, including the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests. Police also alleged she had trouble maintaining her balance and following instructions during the evaluation.
Authorities further claimed breath tests registered blood alcohol concentrations of 0.206 and 0.192, both well above Florida’s legal limit, according to TMZ.
This marks Zenk’s third DUI-related arrest. Court records cited by PEOPLE show she previously faced DUI charges in Connecticut in 2010 and another case in Florida in 2017.
Best known for playing Barbara Ryan on “As the World Turns” from 1978 until the show’s conclusion in 2010, Zenk later returned to daytime television with a recurring role as Jordan Howard on “The Young and the Restless.”
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR ABOUT COLLEEN ZENK’S LATEST DUI ARREST?
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Mandatory
