A longtime chef for the Nobu restaurant chain was fatally struck in Malibu, California, on Saturday morning when a teenage driver crashed into his parked vehicle, authorities said. The 51-year-old chef, identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office as Ryo Uchimiya, was sleeping in his car while waiting to start his shift when the collision occurred.

The incident took place shortly before 7 a.m. on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near Nobu Malibu, a well-known location on the often-dangerous coastal roadway. A 16-year-old driver operating a Range Rover reportedly veered over the fog line, which separates the traffic lane from the shoulder, and collided with Uchimiya’s parked vehicle.

John Addington, a sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, indicated that speeding appeared to be a factor in the crash. Local reports suggest there were no signs of intoxication by the driver, who remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities during the ongoing investigation. No immediate charges had been filed.

The stretch of PCH running through Malibu has a reputation for hazardous conditions and a high number of fatal accidents. Over the past decade, the road has averaged approximately four crash-related deaths annually. The highway features numerous construction zones following the 2025 wildfires that affected the region.

In a similarly tragic event last year, a driver traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit struck multiple parked vehicles on this road, resulting in the deaths of four university students. That driver was subsequently charged with murder.

Uchimiya was a respected sushi chef who had been with Nobu for 25 years, helping to build the restaurant’s operations and preparing for the day’s service at the time of the accident. Colleagues described the workplace atmosphere as a close-knit “family of staffers,” who are now rallying to support Uchimiya’s loved ones during this difficult time.

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains open as authorities continue to gather information.