Rohan Dennis enters shock plea after being accused of driving recklessly before deadly crash where Melissa Hoskins was killed
Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Dennis, 34, is not believed responsible for Hoskins’ death but has pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Dennis appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer charges of dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of careless driving.
He was arrested after Hoskins, 32, was struck by his vehicle outside their home in Medindie in Adelaide’s north on December 30, 2023.
Jane Abbey KC, for Dennis, told the court that the defense and prosecutors had agreed to withdraw the original charge and that an aggravated charge of creating a likelihood of harm would be laid instead.
“What will happen today is that a plea will be taken to a count of three… the original charge will be dropped,” she told Magistrate Justin Wickens.
“Mr. Dennis did not intend to harm his wife and this indictment does not impose any responsibility on him for her death.”
Mr. Wickens told Dennis that he was driving with his wife sitting on or near his vehicle knowing it was likely to cause damage, or recklessly without regard to whether damage was caused.
Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to driving the car that killed his wife Melissa Hoskins, but the court ruled he intended to harm her.
The couple got engaged in 2017 and married in 2018. They have two children.
It was a crime because they were in a relationship.
The maximum penalty is seven years in prison and five years loss of driver’s license.
Dennis, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was released on bail and appeared in court for sentencing on January 24.
Ms Hoskins suffered serious injuries in the crash and paramedics took her to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment. She died in hospital.
She 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.
During his competitive career, Dennis won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympic Games and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He became the seventh Australian to wear the yellow jersey as race leader at the Tour de France by winning the opening time trial in 2015, setting a race record for his average speed.
He also won the 2015 Tour Down Under in South Australia.
Mrs Hoskins was buried in her home city of Perth and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide in February. Dennis attended the service with their two children.
Rohan Dennis photographed outside his family home in Adelaide in the days after his wife’s tragic death
On January 2 this year, Melissa’s father Peter, her mother Amanda and sister Jessica released a statement expressing their heartbreak.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sorrow and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s death,” Mr Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family.
‘Myself, Amanda, Jess and my families are completely devastated and are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have also lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.”