Adelaide, Australia
AP
–
Former Olympic cyclist and world champion Rohan Dennis received a suspended sentence Wednesday for what he called a “tragic accident” that led to the death of his wife, Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Dennis, 34, appeared in South Australia District Court after pleading guilty to committing aggravated conduct that could cause harm.
Dennis was arrested after 32-year-old Hoskins was hit by his car in front of his home in Medindi in northern Adelaide on December 30, 2023. Hoskins was seriously injured in a crash and died at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The court was said that the couple discussed the kitchen renovation before Dennis left the house. The court also heard that Hoskins jumped into the hood of a car during the incident. His license was also suspended for five years.
Dennis was sentenced to one year, four months and 28 days to be suspended for two years. This sentence fell from two years and two months due to his guilty plea, and he was placed in a two-year, good bond of conduct.
The crime was sentenced to up to seven years in prison, but attorney Jane Abbey asked her client to receive the suspended sentence, which did not oppose the prosecution.
During the April filing volume ruling, Amanda Hoskins said her daughter loved Dennis.
“I think this is a tragic accident. Your temper is your downfall and you need to deal with it,” she said.
Hoskins’ funeral was held in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia, and a public commemoration was held in Adelaide in February 2024. Dennis attended the service with her two children.
Hoskins was on the team that won the 2015 world title, competing on team-track tracks at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Dennis won two world titles in the Roadtime Trial, winning team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and bronze silver at the Roadtime Trial at the Tokyo Olympics.
