Former time trial world champion Rohan Dennis has largely remained out of the spotlight since the death of his wife, Melissa Dennis neé Hoskins, in 2023, but one of his first social media posts since the tragic incident has been labelled "deeply offensive" by South Australia's Victims' Rights Commissioner.
Hoskins died after being struck by a vehicle driven by Dennis on December 30, 2023. He was deemed not criminally responsible for her death, but pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm and was given a 17-month suspended sentence along with a five-year driving ban.
When Dennis posted images of a Porsche to Instagram on Wednesday evening with the caption "What an absolute weapon", the post earned 'likes' from some former colleagues but also drew criticism.
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South Australia's Victims' Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick said the post showed "a profound lack of respect for Melissa and her family", according to the BBC, Guardian, ABC News, and others.
"This post is deeply offensive and one that demonstrates a lack of empathy and insight. It's not only inappropriate but it's hurtful to a family who are still grieving and, quite frankly, disrespectful to all people impacted by road trauma.
"Words matter and a vehicle should never be referred to as a weapon or regarded as a weapon, and the fact that Mr Dennis has chosen to do so is particularly shocking."
Dennis has not deleted the post but has limited the comments section. He subsequently shared a post of his two children riding their bicycles with a similar caption: "Two absolute weapons".
Cyclingnews has contacted Rohan Dennis for comment.
According to court records, Hoskins and Dennis argued about home renovations before the accident, and when he tried to leave in his vehicle, Hoskins jumped onto the hood to try to stop him, while he continued to drive for about six to ten seconds at or about 20km/h for about 75 metres.
After that, Hoskins got off the bonnet and was walking next to the car and opened the car door while it was moving, and, after shutting the door without stopping, Dennis then accelerated in what the sentencing remarks said appeared to be an attempt to drive away.
Adelaide District Court judge Judge Ian Press wrote in his sentencing, "It was your obligation to stop the vehicle when driving that vehicle became dangerous to her physical wellbeing. That you did not stop because you wanted to leave is a very poor reason for not doing so."
Dennis, who won the world championships in the time trial in 2018 and 2019, had his 17-month sentence suspended due to his guilty plea, his remorse, and his status as the sole carer for his two children, according to Judge Press.
Dennis had accepted the offer to enter into a two-year good behaviour bond in the sum of $100 as part of the suspended sentence.
Hoskins was also a successful professional cyclist, a multi-time Olympian and team pursuit world champion. She was 32 years old.
In a statement later issued in a series of Instagram posts on April 6, Dennis addressed the controversy that stemmed from those earlier posts, claiming there had been a ‘clear twisting’ of his words.
“They know I never intentionally or unintentionally used a vehicle as a weapon. Never was it legally said that I did either. The video footage of the accident also proves this statement. Yet again they come after me for cheap clicks. Pathetic journalism."
