The Staten Island man who risked his life to rescue a drunk man trying to retrieve a shoe from the Staten Island railroad tracks remains in "extremely critical condition" after suffering head trauma and other injuries. Steven Santiago, 39, spotted the drunkard on the tracks at New Dorp around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, and, deciding his life was worth saving, he climbed down to try to help. Santiago was hit by the train and may not make it, but the drunk man is okay, which is good news for the world of cinema: the man is Jonathan M. Parisen. Who is Jonathan Parisen, you ask? Ever hear of a little movie called Stairwell: Trapped in the World Trade Center, the first cinematic dramatization of 9/11? (If not, check out the trailer below.)
Parisen's film career has slowed down somewhat since "Stairwell" (which was criticized by some for being made too soon after the attacks) but he's currently working on his fifth feature film. Called Terrobot, it concerns a giant robot that attacks New York City. The most recent tweet on Parisen's Twitter account was made on Saturday, when he wrote, "Off to do some much needed food shopping then I shall spend a relaxing day at home watching Netflix." After those fascinating activities, Parisen wound up drunk and down on the train tracks, trying to get back on the platform after losing a shoe. Now THAT would have been an interesting tweet.
Parisen was treated for minor injuries at Staten Island University Medical Center, and yesterday he was charged with trespassing and endangerment. “He is a funny, warm, smart guy who got drunk Saturday night," his friend Jennifer O’Sullivan tells CBS 2. "He is grieving for the pain his actions have caused the poor man and his family." A recent study found that 42 percent of the 76 people killed by subway trains between 2003 and 2006 had been drinking.
Santiago's family says they're still waiting for a thank-you. "All I’m asking is the person he saved, he endangered his life for, to show his face and show him the respect he showed you," Santiago’s brother Edwin tells the News. Santiago was paroled four years ago after doing time for drugs, the News reports, and had recently been trying to reconnect with his teenage son. "I hope that God gives him another chance," says Santiago's brother, adding, "His injuries are in the stem of his brain. Swelling, nothing we can do. Waiting game."
