NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Hicksville, NY, October 1, 2025: Nearly two decades after a deadly car crash in Hicksville claimed the life of a Long Island father, the man accused of causing the collision has been extradited from India to face justice in New York.
According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, 54-year-old Ganesh Shenoy was extradited from India on September 25, 2025, after allegedly fleeing the United States in the aftermath of the crash that killed Philip Mastropolo, a father from Hicksville, in April 2005. Shenoy, who had eluded U.S. authorities for nearly 20 years, was arraigned in Nassau County Court on September 26 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree manslaughter.
The 2005 Crash
Prosecutors say the fatal crash occurred around 6 a.m. on April 11, 2005, at the intersection of Levittown Parkway and Old Country Road in Hicksville. Shenoy was allegedly driving at twice the speed limit when he ran a red light and slammed into Mastropolo’s Cadillac, sending it skidding approximately 65 feet before striking a box truck stopped at the light. Mastropolo, 40, was killed instantly.
Investigators said Shenoy was taken to a local hospital after the crash but refused medical treatment. Despite having his Indian passport and New York driver’s license seized, he reportedly boarded a flight from JFK to Mumbai on April 25, 2005 — just two weeks after the crash.
Two Decades on the Run
A Nassau County grand jury indicted Shenoy in August 2005 on second-degree manslaughter charges. Prosecutors said he remained in India, living on bail while fighting extradition proceedings for nearly 20 years.
His extradition — the first from India to Nassau County since 2017 — was the result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Embassy in India, according to DA Donnelly’s office.
“Justice delayed does not mean justice denied,” Donnelly said in a statement. “For nearly two decades, this defendant evaded accountability while a family grieved. Thanks to international cooperation, we can now ensure that he faces the consequences of his alleged actions.”
Court Proceedings
Shenoy was remanded without bail following his arraignment before Judge Helene Gugerty. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
If convicted, Shenoy faces 5 to 15 years in prison under New York law.
A Long Wait for Justice
The victim, Philip Mastropolo, was remembered as a devoted husband and father who was on his way to work when his life was tragically cut short. His family has waited nearly two decades for accountability in the case.
Shenoy’s defense has maintained his not guilty plea, and the case will now proceed to trial, where prosecutors will have to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Disclaimer: The facts reported above are based on official statements and court filings. However, an indictment is not proof of guilt, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. NRI Pulse recognizes that court narratives and media accounts may not always reflect the full truth. We are committed to fair reporting and welcome the accused, their family, or legal representatives to share their version of events. They may reach us at editor@nripulse.com.
