Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis appears freely in court, sentenced to probation for the car incident, his country’s wife dies in debate
Former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis avoided prison after a car incident in Australia killed his Olympic wife Melissa Hoskins.
Dennis pleaded guilty to a serious charge of causing harm, after 32-year-old Hoskins was hit by a car he drove in a 2023 battle outside of the couple’s Adelaide.
But the judge said that although the athlete ignored his wife’s safety, he was not responsible for her death.
He was sentenced to one year, four months and 28 days of probation because Dennis also signed a two-year good conduct margin.
His driver’s license was also suspended for five years.
Hoskins’ parents Peter and Amanda broke in outside the court because they said they would try to establish “good relationships” with Dennis and they were “yes”.
Peter said, “She is really special.”
He said the family has not apologized yet, but expects it to “come with time.”
After the sentence, a stone-faced Dennis refused to comment because he was asked if he wanted to apologize.
Hoskins’ parents Peter and Amanda broke the court outside the court as they will try to establish “good relationships” with Dennis for their grandchildren, and their grandchildren are “yes”
Dennis (L) was sentenced to one year, four months and 28 days in prison
After the sentence, a stone-faced Dennis refused to comment because he was asked if he wanted to apologize
Peter added: “It’s time for us to move on, and that’s what Melissa expects from us.”
He added that if Dennis is sentenced to jail, the grandchildren will be deprived of their parents “is not ideal at all.”
‘From the beginning [a jail term] Peter said that this is not what we pursue.
‘The mental health and well-being of Ollie and Maddy becomes our mind from the word “Go” and it’s still true.
“Their health and well-being are more important than their incarceration period.”
The court heard that Dennis and Hoskins were arguing about kitchen renovation shortly before the incident, and Hoskins had been sitting in the car driven by her husband as he tried to leave on December 30, 2023.
She jumped onto the car hat and then fell to the ground and knocked it down.
Hoskins was taken to the hospital after being beaten but later died of injuries.
Hoskins’ father Peter says grandchildren will be deprived of their parents if Dennis is sentenced to jail.
Court heard Dennis and Hoskins were arguing about kitchen renovation shortly before the incident
Dennis’ lawyer argued that he had no intention of hurting his wife, either unaware or “recky about the fact that she grabbed the car”
Judge Ian Press admitted that Dennis tried to “lower the argument” by driving, but added: “When driving a vehicle, you are obliged to stop the vehicle from being dangerous to her physical health.
“You didn’t stop because you wanted to leave, which is a very bad reason not to do that.”
Dennis’ attorney argued that he had no intention of hurting his wife, either unaware or “recky about the fact that she was holding the car”.
She said Dennis felt “deeply sad” about the incident and was accepted by the press judge.
“I accept that you have a sense of responsibility for everything that happens. I accept that if you act in other ways, you may be different. ” said the judge.
The Olympian told police in his initial interview with police that he had no intention of hurting his wife.
“When I got in the car, my wife, Mel, ran out and when I moved, she jumped in front and got into her hat.”
“Then we reached the end of Medindie Lane, I stopped and noticed that Mel basically wanted to jump down…she jumped off.
“ At this stage, I’ve realized that she might try to keep going and it’s out of control.
In the initial interview with the police, the Olympian told the police that he had no intention of hurting his wife
Rohan Dennis of Australia competes during the individual time trial of men riding bicycles at the 2020 Summer Olympics
“From the memory, I let go of the accelerator, but I heard a heavy blow and saw her on the ground in the mirror.
“So I stopped as soon as possible and ran back to her. I kept talking to her, trying to keep her awake.
Hoskins is the cyclist for the 2015 Australian team’s world champion and two-time Olympic athlete.
She married Dennis, who retired in 2018 at the end of the 2023 season.
Hoskins was housed in her hometown of Perth, and held a public memorial service in Adelaide last February.
