A 30-year-old man was charged with murder in connection with a deadly hit and run involving a pedestrian in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, the district attorney’s office announced Thursday. Valantino Cash Amil allegedly struck and killed 74-year-old Dannielle Spillman with his car Monday afternoon following an apparent verbal exchange in the area of Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue, according to the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors argue it was a cold-blooded act, but Amil’s defense claims he feared for the safety of his family and reacted. Citing court documents, the district attorney’s office said Amil drove his sedan to the Chevron Gas Station at 1601 Mission St. to fill up gas. Once he was finished, he exited the gas station and slowly started to merge into traffic on Mission Street, partially blocking the sidewalk in the process. Spillman, who had been walking on the sidewalk, approached Amil’s car, seeming to take exception with him blocking the sidewalk, the district attorney’s office said. The two allegedly exchanged words as Spillman made her way from the driver’s side of the car to the front of it. While Spillman was walking in front of the car, she spilled liquid from a water bottle onto the hood of Amil’s car. Amil allegedly accelerated into Spillman, knocking her off her feet and onto his hood and windshield, according to the district attorney’s office. Amil allegedly drove several feet before slowing down, causing Spillman to slide off the hood and land in front of the car. Amil allegedly then ran Spillman over as he fled the scene. Spillman died at the scene. Amil was later arrested by police without incident. He was charged with murder, with an allegation that he used a deadly weapon (automobile) in the commission of the murder, according to the district attorney’s office. He also was charged with one count of felony leaving the scene of an accident. Amil appeared briefly in court Thursday to hear the charges against him. He did not enter a plea, but his attorney, Seth Morris, shared a different account of what happened. Morris said Amil was in the car with small children when they were attacked while getting gas. “[Spillman] was trying to reach into the car, was trying to hurt them,” Morris said. “[Amil] panicked, he tried to get his family to safety, and he drove away. Tragically, that person walked in front of the car, got onto the hood, fell off, and was tragically hurt in a collision.” As for why Amil left the scene, Morris said he was scared and wanted to protect his family. “The fact that the government, that the district attorney has charged him with murder for protecting his family is outrageous,” Morris said. “We will be fighting this case with everything we have.” The district attorney’s office said Amil’s story doesn’t line up. Amil’s defense asked that he be released, but he remains in custody for now. His next court day is April 24. Friends of Spillman described her as a kind person who was thoughtful and caring as well as a regular at nearby Real Guitars. “Just a good vibe,” Matt Stevens said. “She was kind to everybody. She always helped people even though she wasn’t technically an employee. She just was there to be a helpful person.” An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department’s tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and start the message with SFPD. ...read more read less