Introduction to the Case
A Long Island family is finally seeing justice after waiting two decades, as police said they tracked down the man accused of causing a high-speed crash in 2005 that killed a father of two.
Prosecutors said the suspect, 54-year-old Ganesh Shenoy, was extradited from India and appeared in a Nassau County courtroom on Friday. Shenoy had been accused of running a red light at nearly 80 mph in April 2005, slamming into the car driven by 44-year-old Philip Mastropolo, who was on his way to work. Mastropolo was killed instantly.
Details of the Crash
“Philip was just driving to work,” prosecutors said. "The impact of the crash was so violent, that it launched Philip’s car 65 feet.” Investigators said Shenoy, a former Uniondale resident, walked away from the Hicksville intersection wreck. Even though police had confiscated his passport and driver’s license, he managed to board a flight to India, where he was arrested a year later. He then fought extradition for nearly 20 years while living free in India as the case dragged on.
The Family’s Wait for Justice
Law enforcement sources said the Mastropolo family never believed they would get to see the man allegedly responsible for their father’s death held accountable. “It’s incredibly satisfying,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “The first thing the family said was, ‘We never thought this day would come.’ So to be able to give them that day, it’s a plus side." Mastropolo’s now-adult children were present in court for Shenoy’s return. One of the prosecutors described them as "elated," while noting that Shenoy was "expressionless" and did not say anything.
Reaction from the Family
In a statement, the Mastropolo family said they were grateful for the new developments and new interest in the case, and are "hopeful that justice may finally be within reach after 20 years." The family said their husband and father was "taken too soon under circumstances that we still believe deserve answers, accountability, and closure." Authorities said the extradition finally brought an end to the family’s decades-long wait. “We got him, and he’s not getting away from us again,” one official said.
Conclusion
The extradition of Ganesh Shenoy brings a sense of closure to the Mastropolo family, who have waited 20 years for justice. The case highlights the determination of law enforcement to pursue justice, no matter how long it takes. The family’s statement expresses their hope that justice may finally be within reach, and the authorities’ comments indicate a sense of satisfaction and relief that the suspect is finally being held accountable.
FAQs
Q: Who was the suspect in the 2005 Long Island crash?
A: The suspect was 54-year-old Ganesh Shenoy.
Q: What was the cause of the crash?
A: Shenoy was accused of running a red light at nearly 80 mph, slamming into the car driven by Philip Mastropolo.
Q: How long did the Mastropolo family wait for justice?
A: The family waited 20 years for the suspect to be extradited and held accountable.
Q: Where was Shenoy extradited from?
A: Shenoy was extradited from India.
Q: What was the reaction of the Mastropolo family to the extradition?
A: The family was grateful for the new developments and hopeful that justice may finally be within reach after 20 years.
