Question: Whatever happened to Shakti Stream — girlfriend of former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan — who was involved in a two-car collision on the Big Island in November?
Answer: The Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office returned the case to the police department with additional inquiries. Police had completed their investigation on the crash in February. Because the investigation is ongoing, Deputy Prosecutor Kimberly Taniyama declined to say why the case was sent back.
Capt. Samuel Kawamoto, commander for the Kona District’s Patrol Division, said police have yet to receive the case from the prosecutor’s office. The case normally goes through the central records section before it is assigned back to the officer who handled it.
Attorney Ian Mattoch, who is representing Dr. Theresa Wang, driver of the Saab that was hit by an SUV driven by Stream, said a civil lawsuit filed in January against Stream is ongoing. Meanwhile, Wang is continuing her rehabilitation on Hawaii island since her recent return from the mainland. For eight months, Wang underwent rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Denver and at the Center for Neuro Skills-Bakersfield in California.
On Nov. 19, Stream was driving an SUV on Queen Kaahumanu Highway with Brennan, a passenger, when the vehicle crossed the center line near the 90-mile marker and collided with Wang’s sedan. Wang suffered 22 fractures and a brain injury, causing paralysis and memory loss. She underwent three major surgeries.
Stream and Brennan also suffered injuries; they were treated and released. Attorney Jonathan Ortiz, who is representing Stream in the civil lawsuit, said she has no comment at this time.
Wang continues to go to rehabilitation weekly in Kailua-Kona. She is now able to stand and walk with a cane but uses a wheelchair for long distances.
During a phone interview from her Waikoloa home, Wang said she still experiences pain when she walks.
“I can tolerate it and push on,” she added. “It’s slowly getting better.”
This month, she and husband David Chen celebrated their 17th anniversary with a poolside lunch at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Ko Olina. She blogs at www.hulaterri.blogspot.com.