Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to lesser charge in death of Olympian wife Melissa Hoskins

by Eva BlandisABC

Former professional cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to the incident which led to the death of his Olympic wife Melissa Hoskins last December.

On Tuesday, Dennis pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm in connection with the crash outside the Medindy couple’s home in Adelaide’s north.

Prosecutors dropped charges of dangerous driving causing death and aggravated driving without due care.

Hoskins, a mother of two, was hit by a car driven by Dennis near their home on Dec. 30.

Adelaide Magistrates Court today heard prosecutors agreed to the new charge because Dennis was reckless and did not intend to kill his wife.

After nearly 12 months of negotiations, prosecutors found Dennis not responsible for causing the 32-year-old’s death.

Accusation under aggravating circumstances of creating a likelihood of harm carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and five years of disqualification.

Denis was transferred to the district court for sentencing.

Police previously said Hoskins suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment, but later died.

The world cycling champion was laid to rest at a funeral in Fremantle in her hometown of Perth in January.

Family and former teammates gathered in Adelaide the following month for a public memorial service attended by Dennis on what would have been her 33rd birthday.

-ABC