A Range Rover leased by British-born film composer Harry Gregson-Williams was allegedly being driven by a 16-year-old when it crashed into a parked car in Malibu, killing Nobu chef Ryo Uchimiya.
Reportedly obtained DMV records show the 2026 Land Rover was leased by Gregson-Williams, 64, whose work includes scores for Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Martian and Gladiator II. The records have not been independently reviewed.
It remains unclear what connection the teenager had to the composer, or how he came to be driving the luxury SUV when it struck Uchimiya’s vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway early on Saturday.
Gregson-Williams, who was photographed with his family at the Los Angeles premiere of Animals two days before the crash, gave a brief response when contacted about the tragedy.
“This family is grieving just as the other family,” he said.
The composer had recently reunited with Ben Affleck to score the Netflix thriller, attending its premiere alongside Affleck, Matt Damon and Kerry Washington.
Crash outside Nobu Malibu
Surveillance footage captured the Range Rover hitting the back of Uchimiya’s parked sedan at about 6.50am, according to investigators.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department believes the teenager had been speeding before losing control. The impact pushed Uchimiya’s car into two other parked vehicles in a chain reaction.
Uchimiya, 51, had worked at Nobu Malibu for about 25 years. He was in the back seat of his car and was believed to have been sleeping before beginning his shift.
“He was resting, getting ready for a catering gig,” a fellow Nobu chef said. “We all get here really early.”
Uchimiya suffered multiple blunt-force injuries and died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, who ruled his death accidental.
The teenager has been identified by authorities but has not been publicly named because he is a minor. No charges have been announced and the investigation is continuing.
Authorities have said there was no indication that the boy was under the influence. A witness said he appeared stunned and confused after the collision.
“He’s a young kid. He looked very young and very confused and his parents didn’t even show up to find him. He was sitting there for two hours by himself,” she said, adding that she had heard he might not have had a driving licence.
A neighbour said emergency crews arrived about 11 minutes after hearing the crash. Rescuers then took several more minutes to find Uchimiya trapped inside the wreckage.
“I heard them say, ‘There’s someone in here,’” the neighbour recalled. “It took about nine minutes for them to cut into the car and get him out.”
Nobu Malibu chef remembered
Nobu Malibu was closed on Saturday as staff mourned Uchimiya, with flowers and handwritten messages later left outside the celebrity restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The restaurant manager described it as “a very, very difficult day” for the staff, while a colleague remembered Uchimiya as “a real nice guy” and “very talented chef”.
Friend Steven Zaw said Uchimiya had been an accomplished skier and climber as well as a gifted chef. He said Uchimiya had hoped to open a restaurant in Long Beach.
Uchimiya leaves behind his wife and two sons.
The section of Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu where the crash occurred is known for serious collisions, with the 21-mile stretch averaging about four crash-related deaths a year over the past decade.
