Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Good Samaritan Still Critical After Saving Drunk Filmmaker From Oncoming Train
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 10, 2012
Modified Jan 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 10, 2012
Modified Jan 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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."
Tagged
jonathan parisen
MTA
Stairwell
staten island
steven santiago
subway
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .