Former Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis pleaded guilty over a car accident that caused the death of his partner and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins. Dennis was initially charged with causing Hoskins' death; however, on Tuesday, he appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, an aggravated count of creating the likelihood of harm.
According to Dennis' lawyer, Jane Abbey, this new charge was based on Dennis' recklessness. She mentioned in a statement,
"So there was no intention of Mr. Dennis to harm his wife, and this charge does not charge him with any responsibility for her death."
What did former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis do?
Reports indicate that Dennis was driving recklessly outside his home in Adelaide with his wife, Hoskins, near his car, knowing that it might harm her. Hoskins suffered critical injuries in the accident and was hospitalized at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where she passed away on December 30, 2023.
Even though initially Dennis was charged with dangerous driving, causing the death of his wife, later this charge was withdrawn as Dennis' lawyer, Jane Abbey, and the prosecutor agreed upon a lesser charge accusing him of reckless driving, knowing it could be a threat to Hoskins' life.
According to the Daily Mail UK, "CCTV version of the incident shows Hoskins running alongside the ute Dennis was driving after she first jumped on the bonnet of the vehicle. The footage then reportedly shows Hoskins reaching for a door handle before she was struck by the Volkswagen ute."
Dennis is widely recognized for his multiple victories in track and road racing. He was a part of the Australian team that secured the UCI Track Cycling World Championship titles in 2010 and 2011. He also won the opening time trial at the 2015 Tour de France and earned a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2012 London Olympics, followed by a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, before retiring in 2023.
His late wife and fellow Olympian Hoskins participated in the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics and was a part of the team in 2015 that won the world champion title.
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Dennis and Hoskins were reportedly engaged in 2017 and tied the knot in 2018. The couple shared two children. After Hoskins' death, she was buried in her hometown in Perth. Hoskins' memorial service was held in Adelaide, where Dennis and their children were seen to attend.
The new charge to which Dennis pleaded guilty could result in a sentence of up to seven years in prison, with a five-year suspension of his driving license. On Tuesday, Dennis was released on continuing bail, and his sentence is scheduled in the district court on January 24, 2025.
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