A shocking confrontation outside a San Francisco gas station ended in tragedy after prosecutors say a driver intentionally struck and ran over a 74-year-old woman following a heated exchange.
Authorities allege that 31-year-old Valentino Amil killed Dannielle Spillman on April 13 near a Chevron station on Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue. According to prosecutors, the incident began over something as simple as a blocked sidewalk—and escalated in seconds.
Court documents say Amil had just finished pumping gas and was attempting to pull out in his black 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350. As he tried to merge into traffic, his car was partially blocking the sidewalk.
That’s when Spillman approached.
Prosecutors say the woman appeared upset that the vehicle was obstructing her path and walked alongside the driver’s side before moving toward the front of the car. The two allegedly exchanged words as she tried to get around the vehicle.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Spillman stepping in front of the Mercedes while Amil continued speaking to her through his open window.
Then, in a moment prosecutors describe as deliberate, everything changed.
“The victim spilled liquid onto the hood of Mr. Amil’s car from a water bottle,” the district attorney’s office alleges. “Mr. Amil then immediately accelerated into the victim.”
Spillman was knocked onto the hood and windshield as the car surged forward. After traveling several feet, the vehicle slowed, causing her to slide off the hood and fall directly in front of it.
What happened next is at the center of the case.
According to eyewitnesses and prosecutors, Amil then drove forward again—running over Spillman’s body—and fled the scene without stopping, even as his wife and two children were reportedly inside the car.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but Spillman was pronounced dead less than 10 minutes later.
Amil was later arrested without incident.
He now faces a murder charge with an enhancement for allegedly using a vehicle as a deadly weapon, along with a felony charge for leaving the scene.
The case has sparked emotional reactions, with Amil’s family pushing back against the accusations.
“My husband is not a villain,” his wife told local media, saying she has been devastated since his arrest. “I haven’t eaten, I haven’t slept… I wake up crying, and I go to sleep crying.”
Amil’s father also described the incident as a tragic accident, saying it has “been steered into a direction that it should not be.”
During a recent court appearance, Amil’s defense attorney argued that he feared for his family’s safety at the time, noting his infant son and young daughter were in the car during the confrontation.
Prosecutors, however, maintain the act was intentional and point to surveillance video and witness statements as key evidence.
Amil is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 6.
He feared for his family’s safety? His attorney sounds like an idiot with that argument. The woman was 74 and had a water bottle, what safety was he fearing for? He is a prick who got pissed because she spilled some water on his precious Mercedes. Hope he rots in prison
Way to go Valentino!! 😂
I’m thinking California = 1 year probation!!
lol