Rohan Dennis today received a two year suspended sentence for his role in the “tragic accident” leading to the 2023 death of his wife, Olympian and fellow pro cyclist Melissa Hoskins.
In December 2024, Dennis reached a plea deal with prosecutors over the incident, pleading guilty to a charge of committing an aggravated act likely to cause harm. Prosecutors have said that he is not criminally responsible for his wife’s death, conceding that the incident was unintentional.
Hoskins was struck by a vehicle driven by Dennis near their home in Adelaide on 30 December, 2023. The court heard that the couple had been arguing over renovations to their home; Dennis had driven away, but Hoskins had leapt onto the bonnet of his car. Shortly after, she fell under the vehicle. She died in hospital overnight.
Dennis’s sentence was wholly suspended, allowing him to continue to care for the couple's two children, now six and four. He has also been banned from driving for five years and given a two-year good behaviour bond.
“To describe the consequences of the events on 30 December 2023 as tragic really does not do justice to the grief, the anguish and the turmoil those events have brought into the lives of those who knew and loved your wife,” Judge Ian Press said. Press noted Dennis’s cooperation with the investigation, and said that his “single-mindedness as to leaving the area to de-escalate the argument assists to explain why you acted in that way, but obviously does not excuse or in any way justify your disregard for your wife's safety as regards to the acts which form the basis of the charge.”
It was, Press said, “[Dennis’s] obligation to stop the vehicle when driving that vehicle became dangerous to [Hoskins’] physical wellbeing.”
Dennis did not comment as he left court. Hoskins’ parents, Peter and Amanda, said that “it is now time for us to move on, which would be Melissa’s expectations of us. Clearly we want to continue to be an integral part of their children’s lives and their future.
“How we do this in a meaningful way, and a relevant way, will take time as we refocus on our lives going forward without Melissa. With respect to Rohan, as hard as it’s going to be, it’s important that we also have a well-mannered relationship with him.”
Dennis was a two-time world champion in the time trial discipline, and a dual Olympic medallist before retiring at the end of the 2023 season. Hoskins was successful on both the road and the track, a world champion in the team pursuit, a multiple-time Olympian, and winner of the Tour of Chongming Island in 2012. She retired at the end of 2017, marrying Rohan Dennis the following year.
