HICKSVILLE, N.Y. – After two decades on the run, a Long Island man has been sentenced for a fatal high-speed crash that claimed the life of a husband and father. Ganesh Shenoy, 54, was sentenced Friday to a prison term of 3.5 to 10 years in connection with the April 11, 2005, crash in Hicksville, Recent York. The sentencing marks the first extradition from India to the U.S. Since 2017, according to officials.
Shenoy pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second degree on February 6, 2026. Prosecutors stated that Shenoy was driving approximately 80 mph in a 40 mph zone when he ran a red light at the intersection of Levittown Parkway and Old Country Road, colliding with the vehicle driven by 44-year-old Philip Mastropolo. The force of the impact sent Mastropolo’s car skidding 65 feet into a stopped box truck, resulting in his death at the scene, NBC New York reported.
The case was complicated by Shenoy’s immediate flight from the United States. Despite having his New York State Driver’s License and Indian Passport seized by police, he boarded a plane to Mumbai, India, just 14 days after the crash. He remained in India for 20 years, evading authorities until his extradition back to the U.S. In September 2025.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly emphasized the long road to justice for the Mastropolo family. “For two decades, Philip Mastropolo’s wife and children have carried the weight of his loss and the burden of knowing this cowardly defendant hid half a world away. They waited for accountability and for the day when Ganesh Shenoy was finally brought to justice. Today was that day,” ABC7NY reported.
During the sentencing hearing, Krystina Marrone, Mastropolo’s daughter, delivered a poignant statement. “He wasn’t there on my wedding day. He wasn’t there for the birth of his two grandchildren. You killed a great man, one that lived his life with integrity, dignity and respect, all qualities we wish you would have possessed years ago,” she said, adding, “we were left with grief that doesn’t expire in an absence that can never be filled.”
Shenoy offered a brief apology in court, stating, “Sorry to the family that’s all I can say, thank you.” Donnelly noted the stark contrast between the family’s decades of grief and Shenoy’s years living freely in India, calling it “sad that the family is going through this loss for 20 years and he’s living his best life in India free to come and head.”
Authorities initially did not arrest Shenoy immediately following the crash, citing the need for further investigation. He went to a hospital for treatment but checked himself out against medical advice, according to prosecutors. Despite having his travel documents seized, he was able to leave the country.
The successful extradition and subsequent sentencing represent a significant achievement for law enforcement. The case highlights the challenges of pursuing justice across international borders and the enduring impact of tragic events on families. The investigation and prosecution spanned decades, requiring persistent effort from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.
As Shenoy begins his prison sentence, the Mastropolo family can finally begin to close a chapter that has remained open for far too long. The outcome serves as a reminder that even after years of evasion, accountability can be achieved.
What remains to be seen is whether this case will set a precedent for future international extradition efforts in similar circumstances. The complexities of international law and the challenges of locating and apprehending fugitives will continue to be significant hurdles for law enforcement agencies.
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