Journalism of Courage
An Indian national accused of causing a fatal crash on Long Island two decades ago has been extradited to the United States and is now behind bars, Nassau County prosecutors announced Monday.
Ganesh Shenoy, 54, was returned to New York on Friday after years of evading law enforcement abroad. Prosecutors allege he was responsible for a 2005 collision that killed Hicksville resident Philip Mastropolo, who was just a mile from home and on his way to work when his car was struck.
“Today is a great day for justice,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said, according to CBS News.
Authorities said Shenoy was driving at an extremely high speed when he ran a red light on Old Country Road in April 2005, crashing into Mastropolo’s vehicle. Witness testimony and surveillance footage supported the charges.
Although Shenoy initially surrendered his passport to police, prosecutors said he later obtained a replacement, fled the hospital where he had been treated, and left the country. He was indicted while in Mumbai and has spent the past 18 years fighting extradition while living freely in India on bail.
“For the next 18 years, he fought extradition to the US,” Donnelly said. “He thought he got away with it.”
Mastropolo, 44, left behind a wife and two young children. His children, now adults, were present in court Friday when Shenoy appeared before a US judge for the first time.
“They were elated and the defendant was expressionless,” Assistant District Attorney Michael Bushwack said.
“The first thing the family said was, ‘We never thought this day would come,’” Donnelly added.
In a statement as per CBS report, the Mastropolo family said: “Philip Mastropolo was a great husband and father whose life was taken too soon under circumstances that we still believe deserve answers, accountability, and closure. Our family is grateful for the new developments and renewed attention to the case. We’re hopeful that justice may finally be within reach after 20 years. We appreciate all the support that we’ve received and would like to personally thank all the agencies that have worked tirelessly to make this possible. We ask for privacy and respect as we navigate this emotional time.”
Prosecutors said Shenoy ran out of legal options in India, paving the way for his extradition. A Nassau County judge has ordered him held without bail.
“Prosecutors in this office never give up on a case, because justice, no matter how long it takes, is always worth fighting for,” Donnelly said. “We got him, and he’s not getting away from us again.”
