Loved ones are devastated after a longtime chef at Nobu Malibu was killed when a teenager in an SUV slammed into his parked car on Pacific Coast Highway.
Ryo Uchimiya, 51, was a beloved sushi chef who had worked at the famous Japanese restaurant for 25 years.
It was early Saturday morning when Uchimiya arrived for work. He parked along the curb and was napping in his car before starting his shift when a 16-year-old boy driving a Range Rover slammed into the rear of his parked car around 6:50 a.m.
Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the boy appeared to be speeding at the time.
Surveillance footage showed the teen driver slamming his Range Rover SUV into a parked car, killing a 51-year-old man on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Viewer footage)
Surveillance footage showed the teen driver slamming his Range Rover into a parked car and causing a chain reaction crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Viewer footage)
A 51-year-old man and longtime Nobu Malibu chef was killed after a teen driver in a Range Rover slammed into his parked car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Citizen)
A heavily damaged vehicle is seen after a fatal crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Citizen)
A 51-year-old man and longtime Nobu Malibu chef was killed after a teen driver in a Range Rover slammed into his parked car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (KTLA)
Coworkers at Nobu Malibu were stunned and heartbroken to hear of the fatal crash that killed longtime chef Ryo Uchimiya, 51, on Oct. 3, 2026. (KTLA)
Nobu Malibu restaurant at 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu, California. (KTLA)
A heavily damaged vehicle is seen after a fatal crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Citizen)
Surveillance footage showed the teen driver slamming his Range Rover into a parked car and causing a chain reaction crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Oct. 3, 2026. (Viewer footage)
Nobu Malibu restaurant at 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu, California. (Google Maps)
Nobu Malibu restaurant at 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu, California. (Google Maps)
Nobu Malibu restaurant at 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu, California. (KTLA)
Surveillance footage captured the moment the suspect driver slammed into Uchimiya’s parked car, causing a chain-reaction crash as the impact pushed the sedan into two other vehicles in front.
A witness told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe that the teen driver appeared to be stunned and confused after the crash.
“I heard throughout the day that maybe he didn’t even have a license,” she said. “He’s a young kid. He looked very young and very confused and his parents didn’t even show up to find him. He was sitting there for two hours by himself.”
Those who work and live near the restaurant said the stretch of PCH where the deadly crash happened is known for being dangerous, with drivers constantly traveling above the speed limit.
City leaders declared a local emergency in 2023 due to the number of speeding drivers, shortly after another deadly crash on PCH claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students.
Investigators said Fraser Michael Bohm, who was 22 at the time, was reportedly speeding at more than 100 mph in a 45-mph zone when he lost control of his BMW, sideswiped several parked cars and crashed into the four young women who were standing nearby.
His trial on second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter charges is set for December.
On Saturday night, loved ones and coworkers continued grieving Uchimiya, a beloved husband, father of two children and talented chef.
The manager of Nobu Malibu said the “family of staffers” there are doing what they can to support Uchimiya’s family at this time.
“Obviously, it’s been a very, very difficult day for so many people,” the manager said.
LASD investigators said there was no indication that the teenager was driving under the influence, however the investigation continues and it remains unclear whether the teen will face any charges.
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