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Investigators are awaiting results of mechanical tests before deciding whether to file charges in the case of a teen driver who killed a famed Malibu chef while driving a famous Hollywood composer’s flashy SUV, a law enforcement source said.
Nobu Malibu chef Ryo Uchimiya, 51, was asleep in a parked car on the Pacific Coast Highway on the morning of Oct. 4 when a 2026 Range Rover driven by a 16-year-old boy suddenly veered toward the shoulder and smashed into the Uchimiya’s stationary vehicle, killing the chef instantly.
The teen, who has been identified by police but has not been publicly named because of his age, was speeding in the luxury vehicle leased to one of the world’s most celebrated composers, Harry Gregson-Williams, according to authorities.
Detective Scott Shean of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department told the California Post that investigators are now waiting for the results of engineering and mechanical tests before deciding whether to move ahead with charges in the case. It’s not believed the boy was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
“We have to wait for a certain couple things to come back to me that I’ve been sent out as far as getting investigated,” Shean said. “Once I get that information back, then I can go forward with whether or not I’m able to press charges and file with the DA’s office.”
Uchimiya, a longtime chef at the celebrity-favorite Nobu Malibu, was found dead in the backseat of his vehicle following the crash around 7 a.m. near Carbon Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The chef had arrived early for work and fallen asleep in his car while preparing for a catering job in Santa Monica, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
Disturbing video shows Gregson-Williams’ SUV racing along the PCH before crossing the road’s fog line and crashing into Uchimiya’s vehicle. The impact sent the chef’s car careening into another vehicle, with all three colliding before coming to a stop.
“This family is grieving just as the other family,” Gregson-Williams said in a brief call with the California Post. It remains unclear what connection the teen driver has to the famed songsmith, or why he was behind the wheel.
Gregson-Williams, 64, is one of Hollywood’s most prolific film composers and has lived in Los Angeles for decades. The British-born composer moved to LA in the 1990s and built a career scoring some of the world’s biggest blockbusters.
His credits include the “Shrek” franchise, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “The Martian,” “Man on Fire,” “Chicken Run” and “Gladiator II.”
Gregson-Williams is also behind the music for 2026 Jacob Elordi flick “The Dog Stars” and he recently worked with Ben Affleck to score “Animals,” a Netflix thriller directed by and starring Affleck.
Uchimiya had worked at the famed Japanese restaurant Nobu for roughly 25 years at the time of his death.
Authorities said Uchimiya died at the scene from multiple blunt-force injuries. Friends remembered him as much more than a celebrated chef.
Steven Zaw, a friend of Uchimiya’s, said their families were close and their children attended the same school.
“He’s an amazing human being, great skier. Taught his kids how to ski. We went on a lot of ski trips together,” Zaw said.
Shean said the investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.