Shinsei Chef Shuji “Elvis” Sugawara Injured in Motorcycle Accident in Dallas

Posted on March 30th, 2010 12:38pm by Nancy Nichols
Filed under Celebrity Chefs, Restaurant News

Elvis last week. Photo by Kevin Marple.

Shuji “Elvis” Sugawara, the handsome master sushi chef at Shinsei, suffered serious head injuries after a motorcycle accident late Sunday night in Lakewood. “It happened about 10 p.m.,” says Shinsei co-owner Tracy Moore Rathbun. “The doctors said he was so lucky. He is responding to the surgery really well.”

Sugawara was found by a passing motorist who called 911. There are no details about how the accident happened. Sugawara suffered a massive head injury and was in surgery all night Sunday. Eventually doctors stopped the bleeding in Sugawara’s brain. “Lynae stayed with him all night,” says Rathbun of her business partner, Lynae Fearing. “They said that head injuries like this are usually fatal.”

Sugawara is in ICU at Baylor. Rathbun projects he will be out of the restaurant for at least a month. Elvis will have a computer up soon! He wants to hear from you.

16 comments

  1. Oh no! Prayers for him for a quick and full recovery. Love him.

    @ 12:57 pm on March 30, 2010

  2. Of course our prayers are with him. We’re curious though, was he wearing a helmet?

    @ 1:02 pm on March 30, 2010

  3. odaiji ni!

    @ 1:35 pm on March 30, 2010

  4. No helmet.

    @ 1:46 pm on March 30, 2010

  5. Bummer man. Elvis is the top sushi robata guy in town.

    Hopefully hell pull through.

    @ 2:19 pm on March 30, 2010

  6. Helmet or not, my prayers are with you Elvis.

    @ 2:38 pm on March 30, 2010

  7. Hey Elvis,
    you are in our prayers. Heal well, and completely

    @ 3:39 pm on March 30, 2010

  8. no helmut, but plenty of hair product. maybe that’s what saved him! praying for your swift recovery, elvis. lots of folks pulling for ya.

    @ 5:04 pm on March 30, 2010

  9. Our prayers are with you Elvis on a complete and speedy recovery from myself and all my crew at Rex’s Seafood !!

    @ 6:43 pm on March 30, 2010

  10. Elvis-

    We see you almost every Saturday night! Shinsei won’t be the same without you! Who else in Dallas will make my wimpy smoked salmon with green onion rolls?!? Please, please rest up, get well, and come back soon!!!

    @ 8:32 pm on March 30, 2010

  11. So sorry to read this – Elvis is the soul of Shinsei…best wishes for a quick and full recovery.

    @ 1:47 am on March 31, 2010

  12. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Elvis!!!

    @ 4:24 pm on March 31, 2010

  13. Keep us updated, Nancy. Hey, if he’s had surgery, that famous ‘do is probably history. For now.

    @ 4:51 pm on March 31, 2010

  14. My thoughts and prayers go out to you! Not only talented at your craft, but truly a sincere and amazing individual. Look forward to your quick recovery. Take Care!

    @ 9:14 am on April 1, 2010

  15. So sorry to hear terrible news. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Get well soon…

    @ 12:01 pm on April 1, 2010

  16. Shuji! We are so sad to hear about your accident. We will be praying for you. Time to get the Caddy back on the road to do a little crusing on 4 wheels! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

    @ 12:46 pm on April 1, 2010