Rohan Dennis, the Australian cyclist, has pleaded guilty to a charge related to the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins. While Dennis will not be held responsible for her death, he faces a potential prison sentence of up to seven years following his guilty plea.
Dennis, 34, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer charges of dangerous driving causing death and aggravated driving without due care. The charges stem from an incident on December 30, 2023, when Hoskins, 32, was struck by Dennis’ vehicle outside their home in Medindie, a suburb of Adelaide.
In court, Dennis’ legal counsel, Jane Abbey KC, confirmed that the prosecution and defense had reached an agreement to drop the original charges. Instead, Dennis pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of driving with recklessness, which does not attribute responsibility for Hoskins’ death to Dennis. Abbey clarified that Dennis had no intent to harm his wife, and the charge was based solely on recklessness.
Magistrate Justin Wickens explained that the new charge involved Dennis driving while his wife was in proximity to his vehicle, with a disregard for the potential harm that could result. Because of their relationship, the charge was considered aggravated. The maximum penalty for this offense is seven years in prison, along with a five-year driving ban.
Dennis, who has been released on continuing bail, is scheduled for sentencing in the district court on January 24.
Hoskins, who was seriously injured in the collision, later died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. She had an illustrious career in cycling, competing in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in the team pursuit and winning a world title in the event in 2015.
Dennis, a two-time world champion in the road time trial, also earned a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic team pursuit and a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He made history in 2015 as the seventh Australian to wear the Tour de France yellow jersey after winning the opening time trial, setting a race record for average speed. Additionally, he won the 2015 Tour Down Under in South Australia.
A public memorial service was held for Hoskins in Adelaide in February, where Dennis, accompanied by their two children, paid tribute to his late wife. Hoskins was laid to rest in her hometown of Perth.
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