Hero Who Saved Drunk From Train Dies of His Injuries

A Good Samaritan who saved a drunk man from being hit by a Staten Island Railway train last month has died from his injuries. The 39-year-old hero, Steven Santiago, was rebuilding his life after serving two terms in state prison for drug dealing, in 1995 and 2002.  While waiting at New Dorp around on January 8, Santiago saw Jonathan Parisen, a 40-year-old independent filmmaker, who was intoxicated, on the tracks. (Differing reports claimed Parisen was either retrieving his shoe, or had accidentally fallen, or deliberately jumped due to his drunkenness.) Santiago helped Parisen on to the platform, but was himself hit in the head by an incoming Tottenville-bound train, suffering serious brain injuries. He made initial progress in his recovery and was transferred to a long-term rehab facility—but was taken back to ER Friday after complications arose. He died early Saturday morning. Santiago's brother says he'd been off parole for four years and was trying to develop a relationship with his 13-year-old son. Parisen suffered two broken ribs and a minor spinal injury in the incident; he was charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. "I was just informed that Steven Santiago passed away today," Parisen tweeted Saturday. "My prayers go out to Steven and his family. God bless."