- World champion accused of causing death by dangerous driving
- His wife Melissa Hoskins died on December 30 of last year.
- Police will allege Dennis recklessly hit her with his car
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Rohan Dennis, the husband of former Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, looked somber on Wednesday morning as he arrived at an Adelaide court to face allegations that he caused her death.
The former cycling world champion was arrested in January and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.
Police allege Dennis recklessly struck a 32-year-old mother-of-two with his car outside her home in Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north, on December 30.
Dennis is pictured outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
The former world champion could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.
Ms Hoskins was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died later that night.
Dennis, dressed in a dark navy suit, appeared before Magistrate Simon Smart on Wednesday for the first hearing into the tragic case which has devastated Australia’s sporting community.
Dennis refused to say anything as he entered and left the court, remaining silent in the dock throughout the proceedings.
Prosecutors have asked for seven months to determine final charges against the gold medalist, arguing they needed six months to complete the major accident reconstruction report and then another four weeks for the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine charges.
Police have currently charged Mr Dennis with causing death by dangerous driving.
He has not pleaded guilty.
Smart expressed surprise at the time requested by the prosecution, but the prosecutor clarified that the time requested would be retroactive to the date of the accident and not to the day of the hearing.
Dennis (pictured with Melissa Hoskins) did not enter a plea or say a word during his court appearance Wednesday morning.
The court learned that work had begun to reconstruct what happened that night outside the couple’s home.
Dennis’ defense attorney did not object to the schedule, and Smart set Aug. 6 for a charging hearing.
Dennis is free on bail and Smart also agreed to modify his reporting conditions at the hearing.
Leaving the court, Mr. Dennis moved quickly through a media crush and entered a black car.
Australia’s cycling community was devastated 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 simply having her around,” the AusCycling chief executive said at the time. , Marne Fechner.
“Although she retired in 2017, her presence as an alumna of the sport has been felt and appreciated by many in the cycling and equestrian community.”
Police will allege Dennis recklessly hit his wife Melissa Hoskins (pictured together) with his car outside their Adelaide home on December 30 last year.
Dennis attended the funeral and public memorial service held for Hoskins (pictured together) when his death left the Australian cycling community devastated.
Ms. Hoskins competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games on the track in the team pursuit and was on the team that won the 2015 world title in the event.
She was buried in her hometown of Perth and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide on what would have been her 33rd birthday in February.
Dennis, who had been out on bail since early January, attended both ceremonies.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.