A longtime Nobu Malibu chef was killed after a teenage driver crashed into his parked car on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Saturday morning, October 3, 2026. The victim was identified as 51-year-old Ryo Uchimiya, a sushi chef who had worked at Nobu Malibu for approximately 25 years. Uchimiya had arrived early for work and was reportedly sleeping in his parked vehicle before beginning his shift. At approximately 6:50 a.m., a 16-year-old boy driving a Range Rover struck the rear of Uchimiya’s vehicle. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators said the teenage driver appeared to have been speeding before the collision. Surveillance video reportedly captured the violent impact, which pushed Uchimiya’s sedan forward into two additional parked vehicles.
Uchimiya suffered fatal injuries in the crash, leaving behind his wife, two children, friends, and longtime coworkers. A witness said the teenage driver appeared stunned and confused after the collision, while questions remain about whether he was properly licensed to drive. People who live and work near Nobu Malibu have described the surrounding stretch of Pacific Coast Highway as dangerous because motorists frequently travel at high speeds. Investigators said there was no indication that the 16-year-old driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues investigating the collision, including the circumstances leading to the crash and whether the teenage driver will face charges.
At the Medler Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents and their families recover the compensation they deserve after serious or fatal collisions. We thoroughly investigate crashes by obtaining police reports, securing surveillance and traffic-camera footage, interviewing witnesses, preserving physical evidence, and working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. When excessive speed or an inexperienced or underage driver may be involved, we investigate the driver’s licensing status, driving history, vehicle ownership, and all circumstances surrounding how the driver obtained and used the vehicle. We also examine whether other parties may share responsibility, including vehicle owners, parents or guardians, employers, government entities, and others whose negligence may have contributed to the collision.
We fight to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, future medical care, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by serious car accidents. When a person is killed, we help surviving family members pursue wrongful death claims for the financial and personal losses resulting from the death of their loved one. We investigate every available insurance policy and source of recovery and handle negotiations with insurance companies while preparing each case for litigation when necessary. At the Medler Law Firm, we stand beside car accident victims and grieving families while aggressively pursuing accountability and the maximum compensation available under California law.
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