An Australian former Olympic track cyclist died just before the new year after being hit by a vehicle driven by her husband, who has now been charged in connection to her death.
Melissa Hoskins, 32, died Saturday in Adelaide, Australia, after she reportedly jumped onto the hood of a $50,000 Volkswagen driven by her husband, Rohan Dennis, according to the Daily Beast. It is unclear why Hoskins jumped onto the hood, but police who reviewed security footage told the Adelaide Advertiser that she attempted to grab the door handle.
Dennis allegedly did not stop and continued to drive until Hoskins fell to the ground, severely injured. She died of her injuries at a local hospital.
Dennis has been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care, and endangering life, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He has not entered a plea but has been released on bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 13.
Hoskins, a mother of two, competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, missing a medal by just 0.181 seconds in 2012, CNN reported. Hoskins was also a track cycling world champion and set a world record in 2015 while competing with Australia’s women’s team pursuit quartet, the outlet noted.
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Dennis is a professional road racing cyclist who won the UCI men’s individual time trial world championships in 2018 and 2019. He has also competed in the Tour de France and won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In early 2023, he announced he would retire by the end of the season.
The couple was married in 2018 – the year after Hoskins announced her retirement from cycling. A recent social media post from Dennis featured Hoskins and their two children along with the comment, “Merry Christmas from our family to yours,” according to the ABC.
Hoskins’ parents and sister released a statement through Australia Cycling, the country’s national federation for the sport.
“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” the statement said. “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. She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.”