Ganesh Shenoy, who killed Hicksville father in 2005 high-speed crash, sentenced to 3 1/3-10 years

An Indian national who killed a Hicksville man in a high-speed crash and fought extradition for 18 years was sentenced to 3⅓ to 10 years in prison Friday.

Ganesh Shenoy, 54, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree manslaughter in the April 11, 2005, crash that killed Philip Mastropolo, 44, a father of two who was driving to work.

Prosecutors said Shenoy was driving 80 mph in a 40 mph zone on Old Country Road at Levittown Parkway in Hicksville when he slammed his 1993 Volvo into Mastropolo’s 1993 Cadillac. The impact of the crash launched Mastropolo’s car into a box truck, which was carrying 10,000 pounds of cargo. Mastropolo was killed instantly.

Shenoy was taken to a hospital but declined treatment for his injuries. He was not arrested but surrendered his driver’s license and passport. Two weeks later, he fled the country on a midnight flight to Mumbai.

Prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant in 2007, but Shenoy posted bail and fought extradition. After he'd exhausted his appeals, he was arrested last September and returned to Nassau County to face charges. It was the first extradition of an Indian citizen to the United States since 2017, Nassau Assistant District Attorney Michael Bushwack said.

"It's sad that the family is going through this loss for 20 years, and he's living his best life over in India, free to go, come and go," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said after the sentencing. "But that was the point of never giving up on bringing him back, was to make sure he paid for his crime."

Shenoy sat in a Mineola courtroom on Friday, facing forward during his sentencing while Mastropolo’s daughter, Krystina Morrone, read statements by her and her brother about losing their father.

"While our family has carried this loss every single day, you were given the same 20 years, 20 years to wake up each morning, 20 years to create memories, celebrate milestones and live your life," Morrone said, reading a letter from her brother, Mark, who was 16 when his father was killed.

Morrone said her father has missed birthdays, weddings and would not meet his grandchildren. After he died, his wife cared for their two children on a single income. Mastropolo had worked two jobs so his wife could take care of their son who had leukemia, Morrone said.

"While you were cowardly running away from taking any responsibility for your actions, we were forced to accept a new reality in a matter of seconds," Morrone said. "You didn't kill a good man, 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."

Mastropolo’s attorney, George Michel, said Shenoy had expressed remorse and was ready to accept his punishment.

Shenoy did not look at the Mastropolo family during the hearing and sobbed before he was ordered to prison.

When asked if he had anything he wanted to say, he said: "I’m sorry to the family. That’s all I can say."