Ryo Uchimiya, a sushi chef who spent 25 years at Nobu Malibu, died after a 16-year-old driver crashed into his parked car while he napped. The incident occurred on Pacific Coast Highway in California at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Saturday, according to KTLA. Uchimiya, 51, was waiting for his shift to begin when the teenager struck the rear of his sedan with a Range Rover.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that the teenager appeared to be speeding at the time of the collision. Investigators reported no indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office ruled the manner of death an accident, citing multiple blunt force injuries, as reported by the New York Post. It remains unclear whether the teenager will face criminal charges, as the incident is still under investigation.
Surveillance footage captured the Range Rover slamming into Uchimiya’s vehicle, which then pushed into two other cars parked in front of it, creating a chain-reaction crash. A witness told KTLA that the teenage driver appeared shocked and confused after the impact. The witness noted that the driver sat alone for two hours without his parents present and speculated he might not have had a license. No official confirmation regarding his licensing status was provided in the reports.
Residents and workers near the restaurant described the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway as dangerous due to frequent speeding. In November 2023, the Malibu City Council declared a local emergency over conditions on the highway, following an incident in which a speeding driver killed four Pepperdine University students.
Coworkers described Uchimiya as a beloved husband and father of two. A manager at Nobu Malibu said the staff are supporting Uchimiya’s family during this difficult time. A fellow chef told the New York Post that Uchimiya was a talented and kind person who often arrived early for work. "He was resting, getting ready for a catering gig," the chef said. A hostess at the restaurant added that staff members were still processing the loss and needed time to recover.