Rohan Dennis Condemned for the Death of His Wife
Australian former cyclist Rohan Dennis, a recognized world time trial champion in 2018 and 2019, has been sentenced to two years in prison for the tragic fatal hit-and-run of his wife, the outstanding Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, in December 2023. However, Dennis will avoid jail time, as he pleaded guilty.
The South Australian District Court issued the sentence this Wednesday, following the admission of responsibility by Dennis, 34, in the incident that occurred on December 30, 2023 in Adelaide, near his family home.
During the reading of the sentence, which took place in the presence of the former cyclist, the judge determined an initial sentence of one year and five months in prison. However, upon accepting his guilt last December, a suspended sentence of two years was agreed upon, subject to his good behavior.
In addition, the court imposed a five-year driving ban on Dennis. The former cyclist was on bail while awaiting sentencing for the death of his 32-year-old wife.
Melissa Hoskins, winner of multiple medals in track cycling world championships, represented Australia at the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
Hoskins suffered serious injuries due to the hit-and-run and was taken to a hospital in Adelaide, where she unfortunately passed away.
According to the judge’s conclusions, the couple, who married in 2018, had a domestic dispute before Dennis left the house and got into his car. Hoskins went out and got on the hood of the vehicle.
Subsequently, he opened the car door and clung to it as Dennis accelerated, which caused him to fall and the traumas that resulted in his death, according to local reports.
The judge argued that Dennis was not accused of causing his wife’s death intentionally, but of committing an act that “was inherently risky and dangerous”.
Upon leaving the courthouse, the former cyclist made no statements. However, Hoskins’ parents expressed their agreement with the sentence and emphasized the need to move forward, especially for the well-being of the couple’s two children.
“We want to continue to be an integral part of the lives and future of their children. Achieving this will take time,” the father told reporters.
Hoskins’ father
Regarding Dennis, the father added: “It’s important that we have a good relationship with him. The children deserve it. They haven’t done anything wrong. They are two children caught in this tragedy. They have lost their mother and then their father. I don’t think it’s ideal at all. From the beginning, we weren’t seeking a prison sentence.”
The parents revealed that Dennis has not yet apologized for what happened, but they are confident that this will occur “in time”.
Dennis won the silver medal in team pursuit on the track in London 2012 and the bronze medal in the road time trial in Tokyo 2020.
