Family of Nobu Malibu chef killed in tragic SoCal crash receives $55K outpour of support
The wife of a beloved Nobu Malibu chef killed in a Pacific Coast Highway crash is mourning the loss of her husband as the 16-year-old driving the SUV that struck his parked car remains uncharged.
“I lost my love of my life, my husband,” Eiko Uchimiya wrote in a tribute to Ryo Uchimiya, 51, who was killed Oct. 3 while resting in his car before an early shift at the celebrity restaurant.
Uchimiya had arrived ahead of work to prepare for a catering job when a Range Rover slammed into his sedan around 6:50 a.m. on PCH in Malibu, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the collision triggered a chain reaction involving four vehicles.
For his wife and their young children, the crash has left a devastating void.
Eiko described her husband as a devoted father whose greatest priority was building a secure future for his family.
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“Ryo’s biggest motivation was his family,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page, which had raised over $55,000 as of Friday afternoon.
The family is seeking donations to help support the children’s future and education as they navigate life without their father.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the fatal crash continues, with no criminal charges filed against the teenage driver in the information provided.
Authorities reportedly found no initial signs of intoxication or driving under the influence, and the boy cooperated with investigators before being released.
The teen has not been publicly identified because he is a minor.
The SUV has also drawn attention because the 2026 Land Rover was leased by celebrated Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams, according to DMV records cited by The California Post.
Investigators at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station are reconstructing the collision to determine whether potential charges, including vehicular manslaughter, should be referred to the District Attorney.
It remains unclear what connection the 16-year-old had to the composer or why he was driving the vehicle.
In a brief call with The Post, Gregson-Williams said: “This family is grieving just as the other family.”
As investigators work to establish what happened, Eiko has thanked those who have offered support to her family following the sudden loss.