Rohan Dennis has made his first court appearance after being charged with causing the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins.
In a short appearance in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, prosecutors representing South Australia Police requested an additional five months to complete their major reconstruction of the crash that ultimately claimed Hoskins’ life in late December last year.
Prosecutors said six months (from the date of the incident) were required to complete the crash report, with an additional four weeks required for the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine the final charges.
Dennis’ bail has been extended as a result and he will next appear in court on August 6.
Hoskins was struck by a car allegedly driven by Dennis on December 30, 2023 outside the couple’s home in Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north. She was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment but died overnight.
The ABC reports that police will allege Dennis drove “recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which was dangerous to any person” and that “by that culpable negligence, recklessness or other conduct, caused the death of Melissa Marie Dennis.”
Dennis was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life. The first of those charges is a major indictable offence, with a maximum jail term of 15 years.
Represented by lawyer Jess Kurtzer, Dennis reportedly stood silently in the dock as he listened to proceedings on Wednesday morning. He did not address the media upon arriving at the courthouse, or upon leaving.
Dennis recently appeared at a memorial service for Hoskins in Adelaide, on what would have been her 33rd birthday. He also appeared at Hoskins’ funeral in Perth in mid-January.
Hoskins is survived by her and Dennis’ two children.