World Champion Cyclist Pleads Guilty Over Car Incident Which Killed His Olympic Cyclist Wife: Reports 

Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has reportedly pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of his wife – and fellow Olympian – Melissa Hoskins.

Australian sports star Dennis, 34, who is a former world champion cyclist, was driving the car that hit Hoskins on December 30, 2023, multiple media outlets including the BBC reported. Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian.

She later died from her injuries in the incident, and on Tuesday, December 10, Dennis pleaded guilty to a felony charge of “creating a likelihood of injury,” according to multiple media reports. This reportedly carries a maximum penalty of seven years.

Dennis’ lawyer, Jane Abbey KC, shared the decision with the court on December 10. The new charge means that although Dennis’ actions were reckless, he is not held criminally responsible for his wife’s death.

Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis charged in death of Olympian wife Melissa Hoskins: Reports

Rohan Dennis on cycling in Italy 2023.

Stuart Franklin/Getty

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“Mr Dennis had no intention of harming his wife and this charge does not charge him with her death,” Abbey told the court, according to the BBC.

Judge Justin Wickens added that Dennis was driving while his wife was nearby or in the vehicle, and that he got behind the wheel knowing that it could harm her, added the BBC and Sydney Morning Herald.

Melissa Hoskins and Rohan Dennis were celebrating Christmas together before her death.

Rohan Dennis/Instagram

After pleading guilty, Dennis was released on bail ahead of his sentencing on January 24, 2025, to multiple outlets.

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Dennis and Hoskins married in 2018 and share two children together. Before the incident, Dennis posted photos of the family celebrating Christmas together on his now private Instagram account.

Melissa Hoskins cycling in Italy 2012.

Dino Panato/Getty

After being hit by the car, Hoskins, who was 32 at the time of her death, was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she later died. She had a public memorial service in February in Adelaide, Australia, and Dennis attended with the former couple’s two children.

Hoskins competed for Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in the team pursuit and won the world title in the same event in 2015. Dennis helped the Australian team win a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in 2020. He is also a two-time world time trial champion in the road chronometer. He retired from cycling in 2023.

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Source: HIS Education