Malibu stretch of PCH is one of California’s deadliest roads

A 16-year-old driver crashed into a parked car in Malibu early Saturday, killing Ryo Uchimiya, a 51-year-old sushi chef who had worked for the Nobu restaurant chain for 25 years and was sleeping in his vehicle while waiting for his shift to begin, the Los Angeles medical examiner’s office and local outlets reported. The crash occurred at 6:50 a.m. on Pacific Coast Highway. No charges had been filed and an investigation was ongoing.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the driver as a 16-year-old boy operating a Range Rover. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police, NBC Los Angeles reported, citing authorities.

John Addington, a sergeant with the sheriff’s department, told the Los Angeles Times that it appeared the boy had been speeding. NBC Los Angeles, also citing authorities, reported there were no signs of intoxication.

The California Post reported that the teen veered across the road’s fog line — the marking that separates the traffic lane from the shoulder — before striking Uchimiya’s car.

KTLA described Uchimiya as a beloved sushi chef who had worked for the chain for 25 years and was said to have built the restaurant’s operation. He was reported to be preparing for Saturday’s service.

The manager of Nobu Malibu told KTLA that the “family of staffers” at the restaurant were doing what they could to support Uchimiya’s family. “Obviously, it’s been a very, very difficult day for so many people,” the manager said.

The stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through Malibu is among the deadliest in California, averaging four crash-related fatalities a year over the past decade, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In 2023, a 24-year-old Malibu man driving a BMW at more than 100 mph through a 45 mph zone struck three parked cars on the same highway, killing four Pepperdine University sorority sisters. That driver was later charged with murder.

The highway, known locally as PCH, is dotted with construction zones in the wake of the 2025 wildfires in the area.