Rohan Dennis pleads guilty over death of Melissa Hoskins
The former world champion pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, resulting in two more serious ones being dropped
Retired cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge in connection with the death of his wife, Olympian Melissa Hoskins. On Tuesday, prosecutors reduced the original charges, saying that although Dennis acted recklessly, he did not intend to cause her death, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Police said that on Dec. 30, 2023, Dennis, 34, struck 32-year-old Hoskins with his Volkswagen Amarok outside their home. Hoskins suffered severe injuries and died en route to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The collision occurred around 8 p.m. on Avenel Gardens Road, where police and emergency services responded. Major Crash officers and detectives investigated the scene.
Prosecutors initially confirmed that Dennis faced charges of dangerous driving causing death and driving without due care, which carried a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. However, on Tuesday Dennis ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of creating the likelihood of harm.
During proceedings, Dennis’s lawyer emphasized that the plea did not assign direct responsibility for Hoskins’s death but acknowledged his reckless behaviour.
Hoskins was a two-time Olympian and 2015 team pursuit world champion. She and Dennis married in 2018 and had two children.
Former teammate of Melissa Hoskins breaks down at Santos Tour Down Under presser
After her death, Hoskins’s family said, “We have lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life. She was the rock of their life and ours. We need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for, and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.”
The Australian cycling community mourned the loss of one of its peers at the Tour Down Under, which took place days after the tragedy. Grace Brown, who would later in the season win the TT at the Paris Olympics, said, “It’s been a really dark week. The cycling community is struggling to comprehend it, really. Personally, I’m just super-sad for Mel and her family, really thinking of them. It’s just a shadow over the summer of cycling.”
Sentencing will occur at a later date.