The family of the deceased former cyclist Melissa Dennis (née Hopkins) thanked the public for their sympathy with emotional words. “Words cannot express our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s death,” the parents were quoted as saying on behalf of the family by national sports organization AusCycling on Tuesday. “Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mother, a free spirit with a big heart, patience and joy of life.”
The support she received was overwhelming, the family wrote. Hoskins will be buried in her hometown of Perth, and there will be a memorial in Adelaide after the Tour Down Under.
Suspect arrested
According to several Australian media outlets, the former world champion and two-time Olympian was hit by a car in Adelaide and died of her injuries in hospital on Sunday night.
The police spoke of a 32-year-old woman. The 33-year-old driver of the car was subsequently arrested. According to police, Dennis and the man knew each other.
As the Australian public broadcaster ABC reports, among others, the person arrested is the former world-class professional Rohan Dennis. He was subsequently released and is scheduled to appear in court in March. There is currently no statement from Dennis himself or his lawyer. A request from the German Press Agency (dpa) initially remained unanswered.
The police did not confirm any names or provide any information about the driver’s identity. When asked by dpa, the police said that they could not name those involved for data protection reasons. She confirmed, however, that the man would be charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving without due care and endangering life.
Dennis had two children with the former time trial world champion. In 2015 she won gold in the team pursuit at the World Track Cycling Championships.
