So,

let me tell you a brief version of the story of Darius McCollum:

Darius is a folk hero in New York City who has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. This man has a savant-like understanding of the NYC transit system; both bus and rail lines. He loves transit. That love started when he was recovering from being stabbed by a classmate at a young age, and transit was a soothing part of his healing process.

At around the age of 15-years-old, Darius began his career of piloting MTA transit routes while covering for an actual MTA employee who just wanted to spend time with his girlfriend. Darius was discovered by a woman who noticed the young man sitting alone in the operator’s chair.

The train was stopped and young Darius was arrested.

Darius did not divulge the fact that he was helping the MTA employees, and took full responsibility for commandeering the train. Not only was he being a helpful dude, but he didn’t rat out the people he was helping out which makes him a fucking g.

After he was released from his initial visit to a mental hospital, he returned right back to the MTA. Upon his return, the other MTA employees were so happy that young Darius didn’t reveal that he had actually been working with the MTA, he was welcomed back into the fold.

Darius was once again arrested because he was in violation of his parole and was consequently charged with a felony.

Over the past 40 years, Darius has been in-and-out of prison for transit-related crimes. He has never been arrested for a violent offense, and has never hurt anyone while he was operating transit vehicles.

At one point, Darius got a job at the New York City Transit Museum, where he excelled at his job. He was subsequently fired upon his employer discovering his identity.

Now, Darius is facing a lifetime in a state-run psychiatric facility. He had tried to be placed in a supervised group home, but the prosecutor and Judge denied him that opportunity.

“After a bitter legal battle, the prosecutors for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office conceded that Darius was not a criminal. He was permitted to plead not responsible by mental defect. But only after the plea was taken did the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office advocate vigorously that Darius was dangerously mentally ill. Two independent psychiatrists testified that Darius does not have a Dangerous Mental Disorder and he is not Mentally Ill under the New York Statute. Both doctors concluded that he was on the Spectrum and would excel in a community setting with wraparound (all inclusive) services. They described him at times as childlike with a minor stutter and an easy going demeanor.”

An appeal on behalf of Darius is currently pending. You can find more info about this fucking hero, and a way to donate towards his legal battle here.