Rohan Dennis avoids a prison sentence after the accidental death of his wife Melissa Hoskins. A court in Adelaide sentenced the former time trial world champion to two years' probation.
14.05.2025, 07:27
14.05.2025, 07:47
SDA
The fatal accident occurred at the end of December of the year before last. Dennis hit his wife with a car in front of the family home. Melissa Hoskins suffered such serious injuries that she died in hospital afterwards.
The tragic event was allegedly preceded by an argument between the couple, parents of two children. Dennis then tried to drive away in a hurry. "Your determination to leave the area to de-escalate the argument does help explain your behavior. However, that does not excuse or justify your disregard for your wife's safety," the judge in charge said.
"Responsibility for everything that happened"
Dennis had pleaded guilty. He had initially been charged with dangerous driving causing death, among other things. The other charges were dropped following an agreement with the public prosecutor's office. "To describe the consequences of the event as tragic does not do justice to the grief and anguish that this incident has brought to the lives of those who knew and loved your wife Melissa," the judge continued. "However, I accept that you accept responsibility for everything that has happened." The defendant had also always cooperated with the police.
"It is now time for us to look forward, and that is exactly what Melissa would have expected from us," her parents said outside the courthouse. "As for Rohan, as hard as it will be, it's important that we also have a good relationship with him," they explained. "We miss Melissa terribly. She was something very special."
Former world champion and two-time Olympian Melissa Hoskins had been married to Dennis since 2018. The soon-to-be 35-year-old Dennis won the world time trial title twice, in 2018 and 2019. He ended his career the year before last.
