A 51-year-old employee of a Malibu restaurant was killed early Saturday morning in a collision on Pacific Coast Highway, authorities reported. The victim, identified as Ryo Uchimiya of Nobu Malibu, was sitting in a parked car outside the high-end Japanese restaurant when it was struck by a Range Rover.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:50 a.m. on the 21-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Malibu, a roadway known as one of California’s deadliest, with an average of about four fatal crashes annually over the past decade. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. John Addington indicated that the driver of the Range Rover, a 16-year-old male, appeared to have been speeding at the time of the collision.

Uchimiya had reportedly arrived early for work and was waiting inside his vehicle when the crash occurred. No other injuries were reported at the scene. While the investigation remains ongoing, no charges had been filed against the teenage driver as of the latest update.

Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway has been the site of several serious crashes in recent years. In a notable incident last October, a 24-year-old man driving a BMW at 104 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone struck three parked cars, resulting in the deaths of four Pepperdine University sorority sisters. The driver in that case, Fraser Bohm, faces murder charges. That tragedy spurred local authorities to propose enhanced safety measures including speed cameras and increased fines.

Safety concerns on the highway have been further exacerbated since January 2025, following wildfires that devastated parts of Malibu and led to numerous construction zones, which have resulted in reduced speed limits. The combination of heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and ongoing roadwork continues to present challenges for drivers and law enforcement alike.

Officials said they will continue investigating the circumstances of the crash involving Uchimiya, with further updates expected as the inquiry proceeds.