- World champion accused of causing death by dangerous driving
- His wife Melissa Hoskins died on December 30 last year
- Police allege Dennis recklessly hit her with his car
Rohan Dennis, the husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, appeared somber on Wednesday morning as he arrived at an Adelaide court where he was charged with her death.
The former world cycling champion was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, careless driving and endangering life.
Police allege Dennis recklessly hit the 32-year-old mother-of-two with his car outside their home in Medindie, north Adelaide, on December 30.
Dennis is photographed outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning
The former world champion could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, careless driving and endangering his life.
Mrs Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night.
Dennis, dressed in a dark navy blue suit, appeared before Magistrate Simon Smart on Wednesday for the first hearing into the tragic case that has devastated Australia’s sporting community.
Dennis refused to say anything as he entered and left the court, standing silently in the dock throughout the proceedings.
The prosecutor has asked for seven months to determine final charges against the gold medalist, arguing that they needed six months to complete the reconstruction report of the major crash and then another four weeks before the Director of Public Prosecutions could determine the charges.
Currently, police have charged Mr Dennis with causing death by dangerous driving.
He has not entered a plea.
Mr. Smart expressed surprise at the time required by the plaintiff, but the plaintiff clarified that the time requested would be retroactive to the date of the accident and not from the day of the hearing.
Dennis (pictured with Melissa Hoskins) did not say a single word during his court appearance on Wednesday morning and did not enter a plea
The court heard how work had begun to piece together what happened outside the couple’s home that night.
Mr. Dennis’ counsel did not oppose the timeline, and Mr. Smart set August 6 for a hearing on the charges.
Mr Dennis has been released on bail and Mr Smart also agreed to vary his reporting conditions during the hearing.
As he left the court, Mr Dennis quickly moved through a busy media fray and into a black car.
The Australian cycling community was shocked by the news of Hoskins’ death.
“Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career, but for the rest of us the highlight was just being there,” AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time.
“Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport was felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and equestrian community.”
Police allege Dennis recklessly hit his wife Melissa Hoskins (pictured together) with his car outside their Adelaide home on December 30 last year
Dennis attended the funeral and public memorial service held for Hoskins (pictured together) as her death left the Australian cycling community devastated
Ms Hoskins competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games on the track in the team pursuit and was part of the team that won the 2015 world title in the event.
She was buried in her birthplace of Perth and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide on what would have been her 33rd birthday in February.
Dennis, who has been out on bail since early January, was present at both ceremonies.
If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.