Rohan Dennis pleads guilty over wife’s death in car crash

Former world champion cyclist, Rohan Dennis, has admitted guilt about a car crash in Australia that led to the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.

Hoskins died in hospital on 30 December 2023 after being struck by a car driven by Dennis near their home in Adelaide.

Initially facing charges of dangerous driving causing death and driving without due care, the 34-year-old pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a reduced charge—one aggravated count of creating the likelihood of harm.

Dennis, who shares two children with Hoskins, is awaiting sentencing.

While details of the events leading up to Hoskins’s death remain scarce, Dennis’s guilty plea acknowledges that he drove a vehicle while Hoskins was nearby, understanding his actions were likely to cause harm or showing reckless indifference to the risk.

“There was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife, and this charge does not charge him with responsibility for her death,” the retired cyclist’s lawyer told the court.

Following her untimely passing, Melissa Hoskins, a two-time Olympian and the 2015 world champion in the team pursuit, received heartfelt tributes from across the globe.

Dennis and Hoskins, who wed in 2018, were prominent figures in the cycling world. Dennis retired after the 2023 season after an illustrious career, which included victories in stages at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.

Dennis is also a decorated road and track athlete, winning road time trial bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, team pursuit silver at London 2012, and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

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