Cycling champ faces court over Olympian wife’s death
Source: AAP
The husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins has faced court for the first time after allegedly killing her with his car.
Rohan Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.
Police allege Dennis recklessly struck the 32-year-old mother of two with his car in front of their home in Medindie in Adelaide’s inner north on December 30.
Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night.
Dennis appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, remaining silent throughout the proceedings as he stood in the dock.
Magistrate Simon Smart approved a request from prosecutors for a five-month adjournment until his next appearance to allow police to complete a major crash reconstruction.
Dennis has been on bail since his arrest.
His lawyer Jessica Kurtzer successfully applied for his bail to be varied to remove reporting requirements.
Australia’s cycling community was shattered by the news of Hoskins’ death.
“Melissa described her team pursuit gold medal at the 2015 world championships as the highlight of her career but for the rest of us, the highlight was just having her around,” AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said at the time.
“Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumnus of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and riding community.”
Melissa Hoskins competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in the team pursuit. Photo: Getty
Hoskins competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics on the track in the team pursuit and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event.
She was laid to rest in her hometown of Perth and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide in February on what would have been her 33rd birthday.
Dennis attended both ceremonies.
He will return to court in August, when prosecutors will confirm the charges they will be proceeding with against him.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.
-AAP
