Mineola, NY – A man who fled to India after a fatal car crash in Hicksville two decades ago has been extradited to Nassau County to face charges, prosecutors announced Friday.
Ganesh Shenoy, 54, was arraigned September 26 on an indictment for second-degree manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old Philip Mastropolo. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded, with his next court date set for October 14.
Key Points
- Ganesh Shenoy fled to India two weeks after a 2005 fatal crash in Hicksville.
- Shenoy was extradited September 25 and arraigned on manslaughter charges.
- If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Fatal collision
Prosecutors said on April 11, 2005, Shenoy ran a steady red light at Levittown Parkway and Old Country Road at twice the speed limit. His vehicle struck Mastropolo’s Cadillac, sending it 65 feet into a Freightliner truck stopped at the light.
Mastropolo, a father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene. Shenoy was taken to a hospital but refused treatment and left.
Two weeks later, despite having his driver’s license and passport seized, Shenoy boarded a plane at JFK Airport to Mumbai. He did not return.
International pursuit
An indictment was returned in August 2005, and both a warrant and an Interpol Red Notice were issued. Shenoy was arrested abroad and returned to the U.S. on September 25, marking the first extradition from India to the U.S. since 2017, according to Nassau prosecutors.
District Attorney Anne Donnelly said, “For decades, Philip’s family has lived with the pain of his loss and the knowledge that the man responsible was half a world away. But not anymore.”
The case is being prosecuted by the Vehicular Crimes Bureau under Executive ADA Kevin Higgins.
After 20 years, a fugitive’s flight came to an end at Nassau courthouse.