Why Isn’t Olympian Rohan Dennis Being Held Criminally Responsible in His Wife’s Death? Reexamining the Night He Struck Fellow Cyclist Melissa Hoskins with His Car

Mar. 15, 2025

Rohan Dennis celebrates with his medal for the Men’s Individual Time Trial on August 04, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England ; Melissa Hoskins of Australia women’s track cycling team poses during a media day on July 17, 2012 in Brescia, Italy.Photo:Alex Livesey/Getty ; Dino Panato/Getty

Alex Livesey/Getty ; Dino Panato/Getty

The shock grew when Hoskins later died of her injuries and police revealed that her husband, former Olympian and world champion cyclistRohan Dennis, was behind the wheel. He was soon arrested and charged in relation to her death.

Almost a year later, Dennis pleaded guilty to the aggravated charge of “creating the likelihood of harm,” which reportedly carries a maximum sentence of seven years. And though the charge means that the retired cyclist isn’t being held criminally responsible for his wife’s death, his guilty plea does mean that he admitted to driving the car when she was in close proximity, knowing that she could potentially be harmed.

“There was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife," his attorney, Jane Abbey KC, told the court, perBBC.

So how did Melissa Hoskins die, and why did her husband, Rohan Dennis, plead guilty? Here’s everything to know about the Olympian’s death.

Who is Rohan Dennis?

Rohan Dennis and Melissa Hoskins.Rohan Dennis/Instagram

Rohan Dennis/Instagram

Rohan Dennis is a former Olympic cyclist and world champion. He rode for Team Australia, winning the silver medal in 2012 and the bronze medal in 2020.

According toHoskins' Instagramposts, she and Dennis started dating sometime in 2012, the same year they both competed at the London Olympics. Dennis and Hoskins married in February 2018.

After winning two world championships, the couple decided it was time for Dennis to retire.

In 2019, he walked off the Tour de France during the middle of the race because he “didn’t want to be a statistic of a sportsperson who was potentially going to be divorced," perVeloNews.

“I had a pretty frank conversation with my wife before the Tour de Suisse and some of the things she said really did hit home about the type of person I was becoming because of the situations I was in and the way I was handling them,” Dennis said.

According toCyclingNews.com, he announced on his now-private Instagram in 2023 that he was retiring from the sport. Dennis thanked Hoskins for her support and for “raising two of the best kids."

Who was Melissa Hoskins?

Melissa Hoskins.Dino Panato/Getty

Dino Panato/Getty

During the 2016 Olympics, Hoskins was hospitalized after her pursuit team crashed during an exercise. She announced her retirement from the sport the following year, tellingCyclingNews.comthat she sensed it was “time for a new chapter.”

“Cycling can be an extremely selfish sport, and when you have two people – me and Rohan – in the same household trying to be the best of the best. We’ve done really well over the past five years, but I think now where he is with his career and where I was with mine, another four years until the next Olympic cycle would have been really hard," she said.

How did Hoskins die?

Melissa Hoskins of Australia celebrates winning the Women’s Scratch Race at the Olympic Velodrome on February 17, 2012 in London, England.Bryn Lennon/Getty

Bryn Lennon/Getty

On Dec. 30, 2023, Dennis struck Hoskins with his Volkswagen Amarok Highline, a large SUV-style truck, outside of their home. While the details leading up to her death are still unclear, police toldThe Australianthat Dennis drove with Hoskins on the hood of the vehicle and she fell to the ground.

According to a release from the South Australia Police, she “suffered serious injuries” and died overnight in the hospital. She was 32.

“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Hoskins' passing,” her parents and sister said ina statement. “Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life."

A few days before the fatal incident, Dennis shared a photo of his family in front of a Christmas tree with the caption, “Merry Christmas from our family to yours.”

What was Dennis charged with?

Rohan Dennis of Australia and Team Jumbo-Visma crosses the finish line during the 106th Giro d’Italia 2023 on May 12, 2023 in Gran Sasso d’Italia, Campo Imperatore, Italy.Stuart Franklin/Getty

Stuart Franklin/Getty

Wickens also said it was an aggravated offense because Dennis and Hoskins were in a relationship.

What will happen to Dennis now after he pleaded guilty?

Rohan Dennis of Bahrain-Merida Team during the 59th Itzulia-Vuelta Ciclista Pais Vasco 2019 on April 08, 2019 in Zumarraga, Spain.Javier Martínez de la Puente/NurPhoto via Getty

Javier Martínez de la Puente/NurPhoto via Getty

Dennis’ new charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

His sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 24, 2025.

source: people.com