A confrontation on a busy San Francisco sidewalk ended in a fatal collision after prosecutors say a driver accelerated into a 74-year-old woman and ran over her in broad daylight. The incident, captured in surveillance footage and described in court filings, has led to a murder charge against a 31-year-old man who allegedly fled the scene with his family still inside the vehicle.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Valentino Amil is accused of killing Dannielle Spillman on April 13 outside a Chevron gas station at Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege the encounter began when Amil partially blocked a sidewalk with his black 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 while attempting to exit the station and merge into traffic.
“While Amil’s Mercedes Benz was stopped partially in the roadway and partially on the sidewalk, the 74-year-old victim was walking on the sidewalk,” the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. “The victim walked up to and alongside Mr. Amil’s vehicle, seeming to take exception with Mr. Amil blocking the sidewalk. Mr. Amil and the victim allegedly exchanged words as the victim walked from the driver’s side to the front of Mr. Amil’s car.”
Surveillance video and sequence of events outlined by prosecutors
According to prosecutors, surveillance video shows Spillman moving in front of the vehicle as the exchange continued. The district attorney’s office alleges that during the interaction, Spillman poured liquid from a water bottle onto the hood of the car.
“The victim spilled liquid onto the hood of Mr. Amil’s car from a water bottle,” the DA’s office alleges. “Mr. Amil then immediately accelerated into the victim.”
Spillman was knocked onto the hood and windshield as the vehicle moved forward several feet, prosecutors said. “After driving several feet, Mr. Amil decelerated and the victim slid off the hood, landing directly in front of the car,” the office alleges. “According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Amil then allegedly drove off, running over the victim and not stopping.”
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but Spillman was pronounced dead less than 10 minutes after the incident, according to authorities. Amil was later arrested without incident.
Family and defense respond as charges move forward
Amil has been charged with murder, along with an allegation that he used a deadly weapon, identified as the vehicle, in the commission of the crime. He also faces one count of felony leaving the scene of an accident.
“Mr. Amil is charged with murder, with an allegation that he used a deadly weapon (automobile) in the commission of the murder,” the DA’s office said. “He is also charged with one count of felony leaving the scene of an accident.”
Amil’s wife, speaking anonymously to local outlet KTVU, disputed the characterization of her husband. “My husband is not a villain,” she said. “It’s not fair that the villain that they’re painting of my husband.” She added, “I am not handling this well. I haven’t ate, I haven’t slept, I wake up crying, and I go to sleep crying.”
Amil’s father also defended him, telling KTVU, “This was an accident that’s steered into a direction that it should not be.”
During his initial court appearance last week, Amil’s defense attorney argued he was attempting to protect his family at the time, noting that his 5-month-old son and 11-year-old daughter were in the car during the incident.
Prosecutors maintain the act was intentional, citing surveillance footage that they say shows the vehicle running over Spillman after she fell to the ground.
Amil is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 6.
San Francisco fatal pedestrian crash, Valentino Amil charges, Dannielle Spillman death, Mission Street incident, San Francisco DA case
